Washington Garnacha v. Aragon

The Vuelta Espana featured a final week of racing in Northern Spain that included a number of mountain passes and hill top finishes.  Chris Horner put together several good races and took over the race lead, putting himself in position to be the oldest grand tour winner ever.

This week we pay homage to old guys with an old vine Garnacha from Northern Spain taking on a Washington State Tempranillo.

2007 Tildio Tempranillo v. 2010 Tres Picos Borsao Garnacha

Washington Garnacha v. La Mancha

The Vuelta a Espana is in full swing with the racers spending a few days in the South of Spain last week.  There has been lots of action in the first week and some early mountain top finishes have encouraged some aggressive racing with the overall race lead changing hands several times.

One of the most intringuing racers has been Chris Horner, the "old man" of the peloton.  Horner is 41 years old and has been on the sidelines for most of the year due to knee issues.  He returned at the Tour of Utah and told everybody that the Vuelta was his goal.  So far, he is backing up his words with action!

This week's Lucha Vino challenge features a Garnacha from Washington taking on an "old man" from La Mancha.

2009 Almquist Family Vintners Garnacha v. 2008 Cien y Pico Garnacha

Washington GSM v. Cotes du Rhone

It didn't take long for the pro racers to return to France.  This past week featured a short stage race just outside of Lyon, the Tour de L'Ain  Most of the big names are resting, or racing in other locations.  This gave a young racer from France an opportunity for his first professional victory.  The race is known as the 'race of friendship' and has had a different winner in each of its 25 editions.

There is no friendship in the wrestling ring.  This week features a Rhone inspired Washington Luchador taking the heat to a French challenger from the Cotes du Rhone.

2007 Chateau Faire le Pont Provence v. 2007 J Vidal Fleury Cotes du Rhone

Washington Tempranillo vs. Ribera del Duero

The pro racers have scattered to a variety of week long stage races in the past two weeks with many of them heading South to Spain to begin preparing for the Vuelta Espana.

There were two short stage races in the North of Spain around the Ribera del Duero region.  The Vuelta a Burgos is the higher rated of the two races and includes a stage that begins in Ribera del Duero

This week's Lucha Vino challenge features a Washington State Tempranillo battling with a Tinto from the Ribera del Duero DOC.

2009 Bartholomew Tempranillo v. 2009 Tinto Pesquera Crianza