Aragón

Question 1

What is the significance of the Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Piedra? (Monastery of our Lady of Stone)

Answer 1

The original Garnacha de Aragón might have been planted there by Cistercian monks in 11-12C

Question 2

When was a new railway opened between Cariñena and Zaragoza, to ship wine in response to demand abroad?

Answer 2

1887

Question 3

When in the 20C did the late 19C economic growth in Aragón end?

Answer 3

1936
End of Second Spanish Republic and Franco’s uprising

Question 4

Aragón is bordered by?

Answer 4

N: France
W: Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León
SW: Castilla-La Mancha
SE: Comunidad Valenciana
E: Cataluña

Question 5

What are Aragón’s three provinces, and their capitals?

Answer 5

Provinces and capitals have same names:
Huesca
Zaragoza
Teruel

Question 6

Capital and largest city of Aragón?

Answer 6

Zaragoza (660k >50%)

Question 7

Climate of Aragón

Answer 7

Continental

Question 8

Aragón broadly divides into two climatic zones. What are they?

Answer 8

Ebro Basin
Mountains

Question 9

Which zone in Aragón has the more continental climate?

Answer 9

Ebro Basin

Question 10

Average annual temperature in the two climatic zones of Aragón?

Answer 10

Ebro Basin: 14-15ºC
Mountains: 10-12ºC but depends on elevation

Question 11

Average rainfall overall, and in the two climatic zones of Aragón?

Answer 11

Aragón: 550 mm
Ebro Basin: up to 400 mm
Mountains: as much as 2,000 mm

Question 12

Four climatic hazards to viticulture in Aragón?

Answer 12

Cold NW Cierzo wind
Frost
Drought
Hail

Question 13

Name the mountain ranges that flank Aragón

Answer 13

Pirineos
Sistema Ibérico

Question 14

The Sistema Ibérico separates Aragón from what?

Answer 14

Meseta

Question 15

Elevation of Ebro Basin in Aragón

Answer 15

150-300 m

Question 16

Name five tributaries to the Ebro in Aragón

Answer 16

Jalón
Huerva
Gállego
Martín
Guadelope

Question 17

Aragón has diverse topography. Are the soils similarly diverse?

Answer 17

No they are surprisingly similar

Question 18

Soils of Aragón vineyards

Answer 18

Limestone and clay dominate.
Surface scree of pebbles, stones, rocks.
Some pockets of slate and granite.

Question 19

Why are both Sardinia and Aragón possible birthplaces of Garnacha? Why is Aragón more likely?

Answer 19

The Kingdom of Aragón ruled Sardinia and the S of France in 15C, both longstanding bastions of Garnacha. But Aragón has more clonal variations, and Madrid documents from 1513 mention its historic synonym Aragonés.

Question 20

Why was Garnacha rarely seen outside blends after being replanted in Aragón after phylloxera?

Answer 20

Prone to oxidation and ‘rustic’ wines. Winery hygiene needed to improve.

Question 21

What factors led to Garnacha’s success today in Aragón?

Answer 21

Winery hygiene
Long-lived vines: old vines produce quality
In 1990s Aragón’s DOP wineries collectively saved their centenarian vines from EU subsidised grubbing up

Question 22

Where generally in Aragón is Garnacha most planted?

Answer 22

DOPs south of Ebro river: Calatayud, Campo de Borja, Cariñena.

Question 23

Where in Aragón are international varieties more planted than Garnacha? Which varieties?

Answer 23

DO Somontano (northernmost DO).
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay (65%)

Question 24

What are the majority vine training and harvesting techniques in Aragón?

Answer 24

en vaso (bush) trained
manual harvest

Question 25

When were the oldest vineyards in Aragón planted?

Answer 25

1890

Question 26

Production vessels and wine styles in Aragón for: vinos blancos and rosados?

Answer 26

stainless steel fresh wines to drink young

Question 27

Production vessels and wine styles in Aragón for: vinos tintos?

Answer 27

many stainless steel to drink young some complex barrel-aged

Question 28

What ageing designations are used on labels for vinos tintos in Aragón?

Answer 28

The usual: crianza, reserva, gran reserva

Question 29

A wine storage vat found in DO Calatayud dates back to 2C BCE. Which tribe and settlement was it from?

Answer 29

Celtiberians Segeda

Question 30

DO Calatayud is near the foothills of which mountains?

Answer 30

Moncayo Massif (in Sistema Ibérico)

Question 31

DO Calatayud: percentage red plantings? of which percentage Garnacha Tinta?

Answer 31

92% red of which 62% Garnacha Tinta

Question 32

True/false: DO Calatayud reds are typically varietal Garnacha Tinta?

Answer 32

True (deep colour, concentrated, mineral, fresh acidity)

Question 33

DO Calatayud has two 'old vine' designations. Names, minimum age of vines, maximum yields (kg/ha), any other restrictions?

Answer 33

Vinas Viejas, 35yo, 4,500 kg/ha Calatayud Superior, 50yo, 3,500 kg/ha and 85%+ Garnacha Tinta

Question 34

DO Campo de Borja (Aragón): percentage planted to Garnacha Tinta? oldest vines planted when? half the vines are how old? who dominates production?

Answer 34

55% Garnacha Tinta oldest planted 1890 half are 30-50yo six co-operatives dominate production

Question 35

DO Cariñena - percentage planted to: Garnacha Tinta? Tempranillo? Cariñena?

Answer 35

Garnacha Tinta 32% Tempranillo 23% Cariñena 5%

Question 36

Which DO has the most old vines in Spain?

Answer 36

DO Cariñena

Question 37

Main training technique in DO Cariñena?

Answer 37

en vaso

Question 38

Styles of blanco, rosado, tinto in DO Cariñena?

Answer 38

All as young and fresh, some tinto barrel aged

Question 39

Ageing designations used in DO Cariñena?

Answer 39

The usual crianza, reserva, gran reserva... and also Añejo: tinto, min 15% alcohol, intensely oxidative, 24mth+ barrel, no bottle age requirement

Question 40

How did DO Cariñena fare from the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 40

Suffered greatly, didn't recover until 1980s

Question 41

Northernmost DO in Aragón?

Answer 41

DO Somontano

Question 42

Wettest and greenest DO in Aragón?

Answer 42

DO Somontano

Question 43

DO Somontano in Aragón is in the foothills of which mountains?

Answer 43

Pirineos

Question 44

What is unusual (for Aragón) about the grape varieties planted in DO Somontano? How did this happen?

Answer 44

Mostly planted to French varieties (especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay). Bordelais settled here after phylloxera.

Question 45

There are 15 authorised grape varieties in DO Somontano in Aragón. How many are indigenous to Spain, with what percentage of plantings? Bonus: Which are born of the region?

Answer 45

7 of the 15 are indigenous to Spain. 17% of plantings. Local: Moristel, Parraleta, Alcañón

Question 46

In DO Somontano in Aragón, which are generally varietal and which blended: vinos blancos, vinos tintos?

Answer 46

Vinos blancos: generally varietal Vinos tintos: frequently blended

Question 47

In Aragón, which DO has the lowest percentage of vinos tintos?

Answer 47

DO Somontano (57%, all others over 80%)

Question 48

In Aragón, which of the four DOs are known for varietal Garnacha Tinta, and which for blended reds?

Answer 48

Varietal Garnacha Tinta: DO Calatayud DO Campo de Borja DO Cariñena Blended reds: DO Somontano

Question 49

In Aragón, which of the four DO soils is not largely limestone? What is it?

Answer 49

DO Calatayud slate

Question 50

Which DO in Aragón is least influenced by the Cierzo wind?

Answer 50

DO Calatayud

Question 51

All four DOs in Aragón have a continental climate. Which has another influence, and what is it?

Answer 51

DO Somontano is continental with Mediterranean influences

Question 52

Which DO in Aragón has the largest vineyard?

Answer 52

DO Cariñena (13,768 ha)