San Froilán: decorated cars transcend the world of wine

León celebrates this week its big festivity, San Froilán. A day in which families get together to enjoy a parade that, for many Leonese, is the most anticipated moment of the year. We talked, of course, about the parade of banners and decorated cars. An exhibition of strength, family roots, tradition and native customs that reminds us what it means to be Leonese.
Contrary to what you might think a priori, it is not a tribute to the patron saint of the city, since that is not San Froilán but San Marcelo. So, you will ask yourself, why is the festival of San Froilán so important? The origin dates back to a popularity that grew until it became history and tradition.
León and San Froilán: a relationship of more than ten centuries old
We go back more than ten centuries and move to the end of the 9th century and the beginning of the 10th century. The then monarch Alfonso III entrusted the young Froilán with an important mission: to spread the word of God and evangelize the entire southern region of the Astur-Leonese kingdom. Over the years, Froilán's fame grew along with the population, to the point that the town itself proposed him as the new Bishop of León. Thus, in the year 900, the Leonese attended the appointment of Froilán as leader of the church of León.
Five years later, the moment that no one thought would come occurs: the death of Froilán. It would not be until the 12th century when Pope Urban II decided to canonize him, thus giving rise to the homage that the people of León pay every year to their beloved Saint Froilán.
Five years later, the moment that no one thought would come occurs: the death of Froilán. It would not be until the 12th century when Pope Urban II decided to canonize him, thus giving rise to the homage that the people of León pay every year to their beloved Saint Froilán.
The week of San Froilán is full of activities and events that are repeated year after year with the same enthusiasm. One of the most important is the parade of decorated cars, in which the people of León throw the house out the window and bring out their best weapons, usually with agricultural and livestock motifs. The reason? Win the contest that is held every year and be crowned the best decorated car in the region.
Countrymen from different areas of the province of León meet in the capital, where they come with their old cars adorned with their best clothes. The carts, in turn, are pulled by pairs of donkeys, horses, oxen and cows, in the same way as was done in the past when the cart was the only means of transport available. The objective of the parade is none other than to honor the way to the sanctuary of the Virgen del Camino in the traditional pilgrimage.
A pride that goes beyond San Froilán
The adorned cars are, without a doubt, one of the greatest emblems of the province of León. An icon that, far from remaining a mere celebration, has become a symbol with its own identity. It should be remembered that the celebration of decorated cars coincides with the harvest season. Viticulture is one of the sectors with the most economic weight in the region, and thanks to the quality of the wines from the D.O. León, has also become a symbol outside our borders.
The feeling of pride aroused by decorated cars is transferred to the world of wine by the hand of Pardevalles. The winery pays its own tribute to this tradition through Carroleón, its most select wine.
The feeling of pride aroused by decorated cars is transferred to the world of wine by the hand of Pardevalles. The winery pays its own tribute to this tradition through Carroleón, its most select wine.
This is the legend that reads the new label that “decks” The feeling of pride aroused by decorated cars is transferred to the world of wine by the hand of Pardevalles. The winery pays its own tribute to this tradition through Carroleón, its most select wine.
The feeling of pride aroused by decorated cars is transferred to the world of wine by the hand of Pardevalles. The winery pays its own tribute to this tradition through Carroleón, its most select wine.
In its red version, Carroleón waits between 20 and 24 months in French oak barrels, which gives it that cherry-garnet color with unmistakable purple tones. With a total of 92 points in the Peñín Guide and countless awards to its credit, the most recent being Gold in Vinduero, Carroleón Reserva is a clear example of how it is possible to squeeze the most out of a grape's properties as characteristic as the Prieto Picudo.
In addition to the red wine, Carroleón also has a white wine version. In this case, from the Albarín Blanco grape, 100% native to this region. The maceration of the broth occurs in French oak barrels and subsequent aging in barrels on its own lees for five months.
In addition to the red wine, Carroleón also has a white wine version. In this case, from the Albarín Blanco grape, 100% native to this region. The maceration of the broth occurs in French oak barrels and subsequent aging in barrels on its own lees for five months. “decked out wine” In addition to the red wine, Carroleón also has a white wine version. In this case, from the Albarín Blanco grape, 100% native to this region. The maceration of the broth occurs in French oak barrels and subsequent aging in barrels on its own lees for five months.