Wine country: A vintage trip through hidden Spain's history and culture

The vineyards, valleys and villages of Spain’s north-western wine country aren’t the only surprises awaiting Donal O’Keeffe

Vista alejada de la colegiata románica siglo XII de Santa María la mayor en la villa de Toro, España wx301223

If the legends are true, Christopher Columbus might never have accidentally blundered on the New World in 1492 if not for his friendship with the Bishop of Toro. His Excellency vouched for Columbus to the Spanish queen — remembered even today as ‘Isabella the Catholic’ — and, as a result, Columbus sailed west and the first wines delivered to what became the Americas came from Toro.

History feels very close by as you walk Toro’s cobblestoned streets, an ancient town which fell to Hannibal in 220BC, and which was conquered by the Moors in the 8th century. In 1813, it was from Toro that Wellington launched the final campaign to drive Napoleon’s forces from Spain.