There are wines that are born in one place and, before you know it, start opening doors far beyond their origins.
Las Pizarras Fabla #506 was born in Calatayud, among high-altitude vineyards, slate soils and villages that know far more about resilience than the spotlight. But this year, after being awarded 95 points at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Fabla has taken its first steps into Belgium.
And, of course, there was no way we were going to stay behind.
So we decided to head there too — virtually — and invite you to discover this fascinating country with us, starting in its capital.
Brussels: Less Serious Than It Looks
Brussels has a reputation for being serious.
European institutions, political decisions, official buildings…
But it only takes a short walk through the city for that image to begin to crumble.
Here you'll find the Grand Place, gilded façades, Art Nouveau architecture, elegant shopping galleries, comic-book murals, Tintin, world-famous chocolatiers, extraordinary beers and the tiny Manneken Pis, quietly reminding everyone that even a European capital can have a sense of humour.
Brussels is like that: formal on the outside, playful underneath.
Perhaps that's why it feels like the perfect place to uncork Fabla #506. A wine with layers of its own. On one side, the seriousness of Calatayud: altitude, slate and demanding old vineyards. On the other, a fresher, juicier and more approachable side that reveals itself effortlessly in the glass.
Fabla is a blend of Garnacha and Syrah — a unique combination within Las Pizarras, a collection that tells the story of Calatayud one village, one vineyard and one soil at a time.
And if you'd like to taste it just outside Brussels, here's our first recommendation.
Brouwerhuis, Huizingen
Sometimes the best discoveries aren't exactly where you expected to find them.
Huizingen is just outside Brussels: close enough for an easy escape, yet far enough away to give you that wonderful feeling of stumbling across somewhere special.
At Restaurant Brouwerhuis, you can enjoy a glass of Fabla #506 away from the bustle of the city, while Brussels is still just over your shoulder.
Chef Xavier Mushiete suggests two perfect pairings: a beautifully cooked rib-eye steak — straightforward, juicy and full of flavour — or his signature slow-braised oxtail, Xavier-style, the kind of dish that simply asks for a generous glass of wine, some good bread and absolutely no hurry.
Two dishes with real depth for a wine that has plenty of its own.
Before leaving Brussels behind, there are two more stops worth making.
The first is Delirium Village. If you enjoy beer as much as wine, this is a must. It's far more than just another bar — it's a whole beer universe tucked away a few steps from the Grand Place, with that wonderful mix of local character and lively atmosphere that quickly reminds you just how seriously Belgium takes its brewing traditions.
The second is the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. You may already know them, but they're always worth another visit. Recently restored, filled with natural light and simply beautiful.
Bruges: Medieval Beauty with Stories Around Every Corner
But Belgium has much more to offer than Brussels.
Our next stop takes us to Bruges, where the pace immediately slows.
Canals, stepped gables, bridges, bicycles, medieval squares, church bells and chocolate shops on every corner…
Bruges feels like stepping into a fairy tale.
But we're not letting the story end there.
Because between Bruges and Ghent — two cities that absolutely deserve a place on any Belgian itinerary — lies our next gastronomic stop: Aalter.
It may not feature on every travel guide. That's precisely why we chose it.
At Raíces On Tour, we're drawn to the places that rarely make the headlines but quietly offer experiences worth sharing.
And that's exactly what you'll find at Restaurant Vier, where you can enjoy Fabla #506 alongside one of the restaurant's signature dishes: veal short rib, slow-cooked for 72 hours and marinated with a carefully balanced blend of spices featuring juniper berries.
It's served with Blackwell sauce and pickled gooseberries, creating a combination of meltingly tender meat, spice, freshness and depth — all brought together beautifully by a glass of Calatayud.
Now that's a pairing worth travelling for.
Knokke: The North Sea and the Perfect Way to End the Day
Our final destination takes us to the Belgian coast.
Knokke-Heist sits on the shores of the North Sea and combines elegant seaside charm with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Sandy beaches, sea breezes, terraces, bicycles and that soft northern light that somehow makes every evening feel complete.
But Knokke is much more than a beach resort.
It's also home to the Zwin Nature Park, a protected reserve occupying part of the ancient estuary that once connected Bruges to the sea. Where merchant ships once sailed, you'll now find migratory birds, salt marshes, walking trails and landscapes that change with every tide.
It's a beautiful reminder that history isn't always preserved in stone.
Sometimes it's written into the landscape itself.
And after your walk, it's time for our final Fabla #506 stop on this Belgian journey: Restaurant De Zes Bochten.
Here, the chef recommends a true Flemish classic: traditional beef stew made with Damse Viven beer, prepared according to his grandmother's recipe, served with chicory salad and Belgian fries.
North Sea breeze, Flemish cuisine and a bottle of Fabla…
Not a bad way to end the day.
Calatayud on a Belgian Table
The beauty of this journey isn't simply Belgium itself.
It's seeing Calatayud find its place somewhere else.
Imagining a bottle born among slate soils, high-altitude vineyards and small villages being uncorked in Brussels or Bruges.
Bringing together two landscapes that may seem worlds apart, yet somehow speak the same language.
So that, for a moment, someone sitting at a table in Belgium can discover Calatayud — and realise there's something truly worth uncovering there.
See you on the next edition of Raíces On Tour, wine lover!