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Jumilla held its annual Cabalgata del Vino on Saturday and by 10pm rivers of wine were literally flowing down the streets of the town, the tractors towing vats which had formerly contained 70,000 litres of wine at 7pm, but were returning laden only with their sound systems to the bodegas scattered around this wine-producing town.
This is one of the final events in a week of festivities and the peñas were certainly in the mood to party. Shirts which had been white at 6pm, as the floats started to assemble in Avenida de Levante, were dyed various shades of streaky pink within minutes as the process of soaking anyone within range using a variety of weapons began with enthusiasm.
Weaponry ranged from plastic bottles with a hole in the lid which could be squirted or poured to watering cans, buckets and water pistols, and all ages were armed and dangerous - the few onlookers who avoided a complete soaking were those who made it absolutely clear to the participants that they were really unhappy with the idea of being soaked in red wine.
However, most who decide to attend this cabalgata know that anyone in the street as the parade passes is fair game, and they come dressed for the occasion, squealing and laughing as they are doused in wine and lemonade by the peñas as they pass, many simply joining in with the dancing and enjoying the occasion.
British Health and Safety inspectors would be having kittens at an event such as this, but this is Spain and even the youngest family members were to be seen filling up water pistols from the flowing wine in the street with which to join in the fun, even though they're not permitted to take part in the parade itself.
Of course, a good deal of wine ended up inside the participants as well as in their hair and clothing during the three hour parade, so showers were provided at the end of the route, although those in the know were to be found in the petrol station jet wash before changing into drier clothing for the concert afterwards.
Although this is an event organised by the local peñas the parade has become a real tourist attraction over the years and draws in thousands of onlookers/wine sponges from all over the region and neighbouring Albacete, as well as an ever-increasing number of tourists and students from abroad.
Next year, put a towel, change of clothing and 1 euro for the jetwash in the car, pull out your oldest white t-shirt (black underwear ladies, red wine plays havoc with a white bra!) and head for Jumilla......and be prepared to get very, very wet.
Numerous wineries or "bodegas" can be visited throughout the year as part of the Ruta del Vino de Jumilla, with tours available in English. Wine can be purchased directly from the bodegas and in some cases the tours include a visit to the vineyards. The Ruta del Vino also includes restaurants, hotels, specialist wine sales and olive oil producers: click here for full information.
