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 NE Rioja

Climate Atlantic in hillier N → drier, flatter S

Topgraphy hilly N → flatter S

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, S.B, Viura, Malvasia

Question 3

What are the principal styles of wine produced in Navarra?

Answer 3

Reds

• range of styles
• light-bodied → oak matured with ageing terms
• varietal Tempranillo
• blend of Cab/Merlot/Temp,Garncha

Whites

• mainly Chardonnay with citrus and peach med-med(+) acidity, unoaked + oaked

Rose

• med-deep colour
• Garnacha (sometimes Temp + others)
• 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

Cooler sub-zones like Baja Montana:

• Lighter bodied, red berry, med(+) acid in

Warmer areas like Ribera Baja:

• Fuller bodied

Question 5

Which grape is thought to offer the best quality?

Answer 5

Garnacha - esp. from old vines

Produces range of style incl distinctive deep-coloured rose + 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 + bottled quickly
• Some fermented/matured in oak