Fiesta del Orujo
Potes is a pretty little town situated in the Picos de Europa mountains of
Cantabria in northern Spain. Every year in November it celebrates the
aguardiente Fiesta de Orujo. Aguardiente, a spirit made from grapes, averages
40% alcohol and is
a real throat burner.
The fiesta always takes place during a weekend and involves stills being set up
in the streets and aguardient being made on the spot using a technique invloving
heating the grape mix and distilling the alcohol. There is a competition to find
the
person who makes the best Orujo. and he is awarded the title of "great Orujero".
Many of the locals dress up in traditional costumes and there is traditional
music and dancing. Glasses of Orujo are offered to everyone who attends the
fiesta and is actually available in a variety of flavours.
As in most Spanish fiestas plenty of eating takes place and the main food
involved is chorizo, morcilla "black pudding", pork ribs, chickpeas and other
cheap cuts of meat. Take a look at the video before to get an idea of the
'meatfest' that takes
place followed by copious consumption of orujo which naturally leads to all
night dancing.
Festival Website (in Spanish):
http://www.fiestadelorujo.com/
To watch the video just click on the PLAY button in the middle of the image below TWICE to get
it started. If you find the video a bit "jumpy"you should watch it a second time when it plays more fluently.
|
