20.5 Spain - Aragon

Question 1

What are the four wine regions of Aragon?

Answer 1

1) Carinena
2) Campo de Borja
3) Calatayud
4) Somontano

Question 2

What is the climate of the Aragon DOs?

Answer 2

Warm continental with hot, dry summer

Question 3

What is the altitude range for Aragon’s vineyard areas?

Answer 3

350m (Somontano) to 900m (Calatayud)

Question 4

What is the Cierzo?

Answer 4

A cold wind that blows from the north helping to moderate temperatures and slow ripening

Question 5

What is the highest of the inland DOs?

Answer 5

Calatayud

Question 6

What is the principal variety of Aragon’s inland DOs?

Answer 6

Garnacha

Question 7

How are most of Aragon’s DO vineyards planted? Why?

Answer 7

Bush vines at low densities due to the low rainfall and rocky, free-draining soils

Question 8

Pests and diseases are rarely a problem in Aragon’s DOs. Why?

Answer 8

The dry and windy conditions

Question 9

Most wine in Aragon’s and Navarra’s DOs are made by what company type?

Answer 9

Co-ops

Question 10

What’s helping improve the image of Aragon’s DOs?

Answer 10

A handful of producers are making wines from old-vine Garnacha with an aim to showcase the quality of fruit (with minimal oak use)

Question 11

How does Somontano’s weather differ from the other three principal DOs of Aragon?

Answer 11

Higher rainfall spread throughout the year and cool breezes off the Pyrenees.

Question 12

What are the two most planted varieties in Somontano?

Answer 12

Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay

Question 13

What white grape is found in Aragon that is uncommon in the rest of Spain?

Answer 13

Gewurztraminer

Question 14

What is the main issue for the wines of Somontano?

Answer 14

Competition from the large number of better known regions across the world producing wines from the same grape varieties