The Calle Laurel bar strip is the reason many people come to Logroño. The system is the "poteo" — moving from bar to bar ordering a glass of Rioja and a single pintxo at each stop, paying a euro or two a round, and continuing until satisfied. It starts in the early evening and runs late; the atmosphere on a weekend night is genuinely electric.
The wine bars specifically dedicated to Rioja tasting are worth seeking out for a more focused experience — most offer a selection of wines by the glass across the range of Rioja classifications, from young Joven through Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, with the price increasing accordingly. This is the place to develop an appreciation for the difference.