SEEING RED

IT may be fun but it seems to be such a waste - 130,000 litres of wine will be literally poured away.

A crowd of 5,000 people will douse each other with tinto in Haro, a small town in the Rioja region.

The Haro Wine Festivalwhich is slated for June 29 - dumps as much Rioja as it consumes.

130,000 litres of wine ready to glug down the drain in Haro’s wine fight

By Isabel Max

Locals and tourists will continue a centuries old tradition to honour Saint Peter and

Paul's day, armed with cups, bottles, jugs, boots and water guns as they take part in the Battle of the Wines. Reputedly, the annual wine fight began in a 13th century dispute over town lines between Haro and the neighbouring village of Miranda del Ebro. This ultimate fiesta is messy and it is a must-do. As tradition goes, the wine warriors will trickle in at 7am dressed in red and white.

The Haro mayor will lead a procession on horseback, wending its way seven kilometres into the cliffs of Bilibio to the Her- mitage of San Felices. After a flag ceremony and a short mass at the historic chapel, the fighting commences. When the wine warriors are stained purple and soaked with the last of the drink, they descend into town, where they don’t have to be asked twice to begin dancing and slurring songs. A bullfight takes place in the afternoon, then more partying. A children’s version of the Batalla del Vino takes place on June 27, with grape juice.