Thanks to the high quality of its vineyards, many international and prestigious wineries has been stablished all around the Toro D.O., as Liberalia, where we guide you to see the place and vineyards.
These pictures are "Tinta de Toro" grapes. It is the "Tempranillo" one, but called this way because it growns in Zamora and Toro. This is a type of grape very fruit flavoured and has a typical ruby colour. Because of this, it provides with a great quality and lasting aging to the wines.
A beautiful view of "Bodegas Fariña" in Toro.
These impressive pictures are made from the called "El Espolón" pointview, close to "The Colegiata", the massive cathedral in Toro.
All along the 18 kms (around 24 milles), the vast area extends until Castronuño. And from Castronuño you can see Toro (mainly at nights).
This fertile plaine Duero river makes grow plenty of vegetable gardens and vineyards.
This is the cathedral in Toro and is called "The Colegiata". Like Castronuño, Toro is on the top of a mountain and the whole place is called "The Espolón" pointview. "The Colegiata" was built around the XII century.
Being inside "The Colegiata" makes one feel very small... Columns are colossal.
"The Colegiata" surroundings. This picture reminds any Italian village.
This place is one of this beautiful ones. This small garden is very clean and well cared. The restored medieval buildings are seen on the background. The view is on the back and "The Colegiata" is on the left.
This handicraft boutique is on this place. The owners work Romanesque art.
All these surroundings are called "La Judería" or the "Jewish Quarter" and it is made of narrow side streets and projecting balconies very well cared. Houses used to be made of bricks, adobe and wood. On the first picture (on your right), the framework made of beams can be seen. On the left picture, paved streets.
Jewish used mainly to be shoemakers, tanners, tailors, drapers, clerks, or moneylenders. They used to be on the handicraft industries. They used to be really competitive craftsmen working the leather, glass or forging. Good artisans.
The "Jewish Quarter" was the place where Jewry used to live by law. They arose as result of the intolerance practiced by Christians and the Jewish desire of preserving their unity and exclusivity.
These quarters used to be encircled by walls and their doors used to be closed at sunset.
Since the middle of the XIII century Jewry became Castile Crown´s vassals in exchange for protection. But this fact was not approved by guild communities neither common people. So, out of these quarters, hostilities were growing up until 1.312 when the "final solution" began to hatch, and there were many conversions. At the end of the century, Jewish massive salughters took place. It provoked their dispersal.
At 1.465, the Spanish Inquisition starts to make the prosecutions harder against converted Jewish . Hatred and fanaticism popular increased and also their desire to finish definetely with Judaism. Finally, the Catholic Monarchs pronounce the order of their expulsion from the peninsula.
This way Toro keeps being the commercial center of the area. And you will find plenty of small shops with this medieval aspect, a very familiar treatment and such a good quality products.
Wine shops are all around the city of Toro offering wines from the surroundings D.O. Toro wineries. Also excellent lentils, chick-peas, beans, asparagus, other spices, and chocolat!!
Delicatessen shops can be found at "Plaza Mayor" where D.O. Toro wines are selling with other local products.
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Castilian ham, typical chorizo and salchichón; pâté, olive oil and olive soap and gel.
Inside the old stone porches.
Toro is the perfect place to "tapear". The Spanish tradition to have some small snacks or portions (Spanish omelette, fried squids, octopus, croquettes and other "tapas" like fried chorizo.)
Come and enjoy Castilian chorizo!!
Or just try this "Spanish omelette"... which is waiting for you... :-)
Terraces at "Plaza Mayor".
This picture belongs to "La Fragua" restaurant. It has reopened its doors in Toro after being considerated like the best in Valladolid for three decades. Mr. Garrote has made the decission to open in Toro because of D.O. Toro´s wines. Delicious traditional dishes are slowly cooked .
