The Santiago Pilgrimage Route is one of the three major Christian holy sites, along with Rome and Jerusalem. It starts in Saint-Jean Pied de Port, France, and stretches 800 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela at the western end of Spain. This route concludes at the tomb of Saint James, one of the 12 apostles of Christ, located in Santiago Cathedral.
The number of people walking this route reaches 450,000 annually from over 100 countries. According to statistics from the Santiago Pilgrim Office, the number of Korean pilgrims on the Santiago Pilgrimage Route was only 15 in 2004. This number rose to over 8,000 by 2019. Last year, 7,563 Koreans walked the route, placing the country ninth in the overall ranking by nationality. This shows a significant difference from Taiwan, which ranks second in Asia with 2,513 pilgrims.
In the past, the majority walked this route for religious purposes. Nowadays, there is a rising demand for walking this long path for self-reflection, for new relationships and communication, or for physical and mental health.
Among the Santiago Pilgrimage Routes, the most famous one is the 'Way of Silver,' which passes through the Castile and León region in central Spain. This area played a central role in medieval Spain and is rich in historical sites and cultural assets such as castles, monasteries, and cathedrals. The well-preserved sites instantly transport pilgrims back to the Middle Ages.
For those interested in religion and history, the Way of Silver is like a time machine, while for food lovers, this area is a paradise in itself.
The Castile and León region is home to Spain's largest truffle production area (Soria) and premier wine region (Ribera del Duero). It is an unspoiled area with little urban development relative to its size, boasting a unique natural environment rich in nature reserves, which has given rise to expensive truffles and renowned wines.
In particular, the region is lined with underground wineries, known in Spanish as 'bodegas,' that have been in use since the 15th century. Due to high temperatures and long summer days, wineries were created in cool underground areas to avoid the sun and heat. There were once over 300 underground wineries on this street alone, and some still remain as tourist attractions.
The Spanish climate is extremely harsh. Precipitation is insufficient, and the soil is barren. Good wine is originally produced in areas with low rainfall and poor soil.
In Spain, this is particularly severe. Vineyards have sparsely planted low-growing vines. It is hard to find neatly aligned vineyards like those in renowned wine regions in France or Italy. The number of grape clusters is also very low. This is due to managing the vines according to Spain's harsh climate and soil conditions. Naturally, with less rainfall, the number of grape clusters is reduced, but the grapes themselves are sweet and firm.
Typically, Spanish white wine exhibits an alcohol content of around 13 to 14 degrees. Regardless of grape variety, it is generally noted for its rich tropical fruit aromas, making it pair well with various appetizers.
However, since then, there has been a lingering disappointment regarding 'fragmentary and overly sweet wines lacking complexity.' A preconceived notion that 'excluding a few brands, it is challenging to reach a global standard' has also taken deep root.
Altos de Santiago, located in the northern highlands of Castile and León, requires considerable effort to cultivate quality grapes, given Spain's dry climate. This is why other grape growers have overlooked this region. However, the winery Bodega El Tanino emphasizes complexity by harvesting grapes from vineyards located at altitudes of 900 to 1,000 meters and aging them in French oak barrels for four months.
Furthermore, Bodega El Tanino has expressed the flavor and personality of its wine with a warm touch on the exterior to improve the old-fashioned image of Spanish wines. To support the journey of pilgrims visiting the Santiago Pilgrimage Route, a monument symbolizing the route has been drawn on the exterior. This artwork is the result of collaboration between a winemaker, a sommelier, and a designer.
Altos de Santiago won the award for white wine in the institutional sector at the 2024 Korea Alcohol Awards. The importing company is Gazam Trade.