20.4 - Navarra

Question 1

Describe the situation, climate and topography of Navarra.

Compare the size of Navarra DO with La Rioja DO.

Answer 1

Situation north-east of La Rioja

Climate blend of Atlantic influence in hillier northerly areas like Baja Montana to drier, flatter Ribera Baja in south

Topgraphy range from hilly in north to flatter in south

Size 11,000ha (Rioja 64,000ha)

Question 2

What grape varieties are grown in Navarra? How has this changed?

Answer 2

Wide variety that has changed recently

Pre-1970s mainly Garnacha

Post-1970s - Tempranillo (gov’t funded research programme)

1980s - Consejo Regulador allows int’l varieties e.g. Cab S, Merlot (often blended with Temp)

Whites Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Savignon Blanc, Viura, Malvasia

Question 3

What are the principal styles of wine produced in Navarra?

Answer 3

Reds range of styles from light-bodied to oak matured with ageing terms made with varietal Tempranillo or blend of Cab/Merlot/Temp,Garncha

Whites mainly made from Chardonnay with citrus and peach med-med(+) acidity, unoaked and oaked

Rose med-deep colour from Garnacha (sometimes Temp and others) made by short maceration (by law), may be oaked

Overall range of styles and qualities although mostly in good-VG

Question 4

Describe the range of styles produced by Garncha

Answer 4

Lighter bodied red berry and med(+) acid in cooler sub-zones like Baja Montana

Fuller bodied in warmer areas like Ribera Baja

Question 5

Which grape is thought to offer the best quality?

Answer 5

Garnacha - esp. from old vines

Produces a range of style incl distinctive deep-coloured rose plus light and full bodied reds

N.B. some argue Navarra should ditch Temp and int’l varieties and focus on Garnacha instead

Question 6

Describe the production of rose in Navarra? (5)

Answer 6

Mainly Garnacha

Must be short maceration

3-4 hrs for paler, 6-12 for deeper

Mostly fermented in SST and bottled quickly

Some fermented/matured in oak

Question 7

Name two notable producers in Navarra

Answer 7

Domaines Lupier and Bodegas J. Chivite

Question 8

To what extent are landholding small in Navarra?

Answer 8

Similar to Rioja with small landholdings and many growers sell to co-ops (not as small as Rias Baixas though).