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Spanish Wine Scholar > Ebro River Valley: Aragon > Flashcards

Ebro River Valley: Aragon Flashcards

1
Q

Where is Aragon?

A

This autonomous region is in northeastern Spain and is the 4th largest.
It is bordered by France to the north and 6 other regions: Navarra, La Rioja, & Castilla y Leon lie to the west; Castilla-La Mancha to the southwest; Comunidad Valenciana to the southeast, & Cataluna to the east.

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2
Q

Name the provinces of Aragon.

A
  1. Huesca
  2. Zaragoza
  3. Teruel

Each province is named after their respective capital cities.

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3
Q

What is the capital of Aragon?

A

Zaragoza

It overlooks the Ebro River & is home to more than half of the region’s entire population.

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4
Q

What is the climate in Aragon?

A

Continental
* large diurnal/seasonal temperature swings
* temperature fluctuations are widest in the arid Ebro Basin & less extreme in the mountainous regions
* 22in/550mm average annual rainfall (less in the Ebro Basin & more in Pirineos)

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5
Q

What threats do vineyards face during the growing season in Aragon?

A
  • cold northwestern Cierzo wind
  • frost
  • drought
  • hail
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6
Q

Which mountain ranges are found in Aragon?

A

This autonomous region is flanked by:
1. Pirineos: In the north, extending southward into Aragon’s Huesca province.
2. Sistema Iberico: It separates the Ebro valley from the Meseta to the south

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7
Q

Name the major river that flows through Aragon.

A

Ebro River

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8
Q

Name the significant tributaries of the Ebro River found in Aragon.

A
  • Jalon River (from the south)
  • Huerva River (from the south)
  • Gallego River (from the north)
  • Martin River (from the south)
  • Guadalope River (from the south)
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9
Q

Where in Aragon are the vineyards planted?

A
  • flanking the Ebro River
  • foothills of Pirineos
  • foothills of Sistema Iberico
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10
Q

What soil types are found in Aragon?

A

Limestone- and clay-dominant with a surface scree of pebbles, stones, and rocks. A few pockets of slate & granite.

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11
Q

What grape variety is believed to be indigenous to Aragon?

A

Garnacha

The other potential origin of this variety is Sardinia. However This region of Spain has the largest number of clonal variations, indication age. Also, documents dating back to 1513 mention the grape under its historic synonym: Aragones.

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12
Q

What is the most widely planted variety in Aragon?

A

Garnacha

Especially in the wine regions south of the Ebro River.

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13
Q

What vinetraining method is used in Aragon?

A

en vaso (bush-trained)

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14
Q

What winemaking methods are used in Aragon?

A
  • stainless steel tanks to yield lively, fresh wines (red & white)
  • barrel-aging in some red wine production
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15
Q

What aging designations are used in Aragon?

A
  • Crianza
  • Reserva
  • Gran Reserva
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16
Q

Name the DOPs of Aragon.

A
  1. DO Calatayud (1989)
  2. DO Campo de Borja (1980)
  3. DO Carinena (1932)
  4. DO Somontano (1984)
  5. VP Ayles (2011)
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17
Q

Where is DO Calatayud located?

A

This DOP is near the foothills of the Moncayo Massif (Sistema Iberico) in Aragon. The vineyards grow at considerable elevation.

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18
Q

What wines styles are produced in DO Calatayud?

A
  • Tinto (91%)
  • Rosado (5%)
  • Blanco (4%)
  • Espumoso (<1%)
  • Other (<1%)
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19
Q

What is the climate in DO Calatayud?

A

Continental
* high risk of frost
* 12-22in/300-550mm annual rainfall

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20
Q

What soil types are found in DO Calatayud?

A
  • gray slate
  • red slate
  • clay
  • sand
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21
Q

Name the white varieties of DO Calatayud.

A

Authorized:
* Garnacha Blanca
* Macabeo
* Malvasia
* Moscatel de Alejandria
* Sauvignon Blanc
* Chardonnay
* Gewurztraminer

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22
Q

Name the red varieties of DO Calatayud.

A

Authorized:
* Garnacha Tinta
* Tempranillo
* Bobal
* Mazuel/Mazuela (Carinena)
* Monastrell
* Syrah
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot

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23
Q

What is the most widely planted grape variety in DO Calatayud?

A

Garnacha (62% of all plantings)

~92% of total vineyard area are planted with red varieties.

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24
Q

What are the characteristics of a typical vinos tintos from DO Calatayud?

A

Varietal Garnacha.
Deep in colour, concentrated, & mineral-driven with fresh acidity.

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25
Q

What are the requirements of vinos tintos labeled “Vinas Viejas” from DO Calatayud

A

“Old vine” designation:
* min. 35 year old vines
* 4,500kg/ha max. yield

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26
Q

What are the requirements of vinos tintos labeled “Calatayud Superior” from DO Calatayud

A
  • min. 85% Garnacha
  • min. 50 year old vines
  • 3,500kg/ha or less max. yields (lower than “Vinas Viejas”
27
Q

Where is DO Campo de Borja located?

A

This DOP is in the northwestern part of the Zaragoza province in the transition zone between the Ebro River & the Sistema Iberico located within Aragon. It neighbors the southern tip of Navarra.

28
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Campo de Borja?

A
  • Tinto (82%)
  • Rosado (10%)
  • Blanco (8%)
  • Espumoso (>1%)
  • Other (<1%)
29
Q

What is the climte in DO Campo de Borja?

A

Continental
* high risk of frost
* influenced by Cierzo
* 14-18in/350-450mm annual rainfall

30
Q

What soil types are found in DO Campo de Borja?

A
  • brownish-gray limestone
  • clay
31
Q

Name the white varieties of DO Campo de Borja.

A

Authorized:
* Macbeo
* Chardonnay
* Moscatel de Grano Menudo
* Moscatel de Alejandria
* Garnacha Blanca
* Sauvignon Blanc
* Verdejo

32
Q

Name the red varieties of DO Campo de Borja.

A

Authorized:
* Garnacha Tinta
* Mazuela (Carinena)
* Tempranillo
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot
* Syrah
* Garnacha Tintorera

33
Q

Which variety is most widely planted in DO Campo de Borja?

34
Q

How much of the vines planted in DO Campo de Borja are old? How old?

A

More than half of vines planted here are between 30 & 50 years old.

35
Q

What are the typical characteristics of wines produced in DO Campo de Borja?

A

Majority of wines are varietal Garnacha tinta.
Slightly more elegant than neighboring regions.
Known for floral notes & red fruit character.

36
Q

Which DOP has more old vines than anywhere else in Spain?

A

DO Carinena

  • many older than 80 years old
  • trained en vaso (bush vine)
37
Q

Where is DO Carinena located?

A

This DOP is nestled squarely in the Ebro River Valley in the foothills of the Sistema Iberico. It is situated to the east of DO Calatayud and the Huerva River runs along the eastern edge.

38
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Carinena?

A
  • Tinto (89%): young & barrel-aged
  • Blanco (8%): young/fresh
  • Rosado (3%): young/fresh
  • Espumoso (<1%)
  • Other (<1%)
39
Q

What is the climate in DO Carinena?

A

Continental
* risk of hailstones
* influenced by Cierzo wind
* 14-21in/350-540mm annual rainfall

40
Q

What soil types are found in DO Carinena?

A
  • brown limestone
  • slate
  • clay
41
Q

What white grape varieties are grown in DO Carinena?

A

Authorized:
* Chardonnay
* Garnacha Blanca
* Macabeo
* Moscatel de Alejandria
* Parellada

42
Q

What red grape varieties are grown in DO Carinena?

A

Authorized:
* Garnacha Tinta
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Juan Ibanez (Moristel)
* Carinena/Mazuela
* Merlot
* Monastrell
* Syrah
* Tempranillo
* Vidadillo

43
Q

What is the most widely planted variety in DO Carinena?

A

Garnacha Tinta (32%)

  • Tempranillo is the second (23%)
  • Carinena, the regions namesake grape (5%)
44
Q

What is the primary wine style produced in DO Carinena?

A

Varietal Garnach Tinta

45
Q

What are the typical characteristics of wines from DO Carinena?

A

Similar to those of Campo de Borja, but more intense fruit with spicy notes.

46
Q

What aging designations are used in DO Carinena?

A
  • Crianza
  • Reserva
  • Gran Reserva
  • Anejo
47
Q

What are the requirements for wines labeled Anejo from DO Carinena?

A
  • min. 15% abv
  • produced in an intensly oxidative method
  • min. 24 months in barrel
48
Q

Which DOP in Aragon is the northernmost?

A

DO Somontano

49
Q

Which DOP in Aragon is the wettest & greenest?

A

DO Somontano

Wine regions in the south are more arid

50
Q

Where is DO Somontano located?

A

This DOP is situated in the Pirineos foothils.
Vines are planted at significant elevation & benefit from a wide diurnal temperature swing as well as the cooling effects of the Cierzo wind.

51
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Somontano?

A
  • Tinto (57%): frequently blends
  • Blanco (23%): generally varietal
  • Rosado (19%)
  • Espumoso (<1%)
  • Other (<1%)
52
Q

What is the climate in DO Somontano?

A

Continental with Mediterranean influences
* 20in/500mm annual rainfall

53
Q

What soil types are found in DO Somontano?

A
  • brown limestone
  • clay
54
Q

Name the white varieties grown in DO Somontano.

A

Authorized:
* Alcanon
* Macabeo
* Chardonnay
* Garnacha Blanca
* Gewurztraminer
* Riesling
* Sauvignon Blanc

55
Q

Name the red varieties grown in DO Somontano.

A

Authorized:
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Garnacha Tinta
* Merlot
* Moristel
* Parraleta
* Pinot Noir
* Syrah
* Tempranillo

56
Q

Why are there so many french grape varieties planted in DO Somontano?

A

During the devastation of phylloxera, many french winemakers migrated to this area to make wines and they brought french varieties with them.
Now, French varieties make up the majority of grapes grown here, with only 17% of Spanish varieties being planted.

57
Q

What styles of wine are produced in VP Ayles?

A
  • Tinto (90%)
  • Rosado (10%)

NOT NTK

58
Q

What is the climate in VP Ayles?

A

Continental
* high risk of frost
* extreme daily temperature swings (up to 68F/20C)
* hot temperatures mitigated by northwestern Cierzo wind
* 16in/400mm annual rainfall

NOT NTK

59
Q

What soil types are found in VP Ayles?

A
  • clay
  • limestone
  • chalk

NOT NTK

60
Q

Name the red varieties planted in VP Ayles.

A

Authorized:
* Garnacha Tinta
* Tempranillo
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot

NOT NTK

61
Q

Name the Vino de la Tierra’s of Aragon.

A
  1. VT Bajo Aragon (1999)
  2. VT Ribera del Gallego-Cinco Villas (2004)
  3. VT Ribera del Jiloca (2006)
  4. VT Valdejalon (1999)
  5. VT Valle del Cinca (2004)
  6. VT Ribera del Queiles (Navarra/Aragon)

NOT NTK

62
Q

What is the largest VT in Aragon?

A

VT Bajo Aragon

Located southeast of Zaragoza. It is the southern-most wine region in Aragon.

NOT NTK

63
Q

What styles of wine are produced in VT Bajo Aragon?

A
  • Tinto (82%)
  • Blanco (16%)
  • Rosado (2%)

NOT NTK

Spanish Wine Scholar (31 decks)

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