Ebro River Valley: Navarra Flashcards
The Ebro River Valley is politically divided into which 3 autonomous regions?
- Comunidad Foral de Navarra (“Navarra”)
- Aragon
- La Rioja
What is the Fueros of Navarra?
Linked to Pyrenean law (a form of Roman law), the fueros refer to the legal system and exercise of self-government granted to the people of Navarra throughout history by its ruling parties.
Today, Navarra is a “Comunidad Foral (the noun derived from fuero) within the framework of Spain’s standing as a nation of autonomous communitites. As a result, the fueros grant the Navarrese people the right to decide upon matters which directly affect them while yielding respect for the Spanish Constitution of 1978.
What was the primary grape variety replanted in Navarra after the phylloxera devastation?
Garnacha
Where is Navarra located?
Situated in northern Spain, this autonomous region is bordered to the north by France, by the autonomous regions Pais Vasco & La Rioja to the west, and Aragon to the east & south.
How many provinces are there in Navarra?
- Navarra
What 3 sections is Navarra traditionally grouped into?
- Montana (Mountains): in the north
- Zona Media (Central Zone): in the centre
- Ribera (Riverbank): on the banks of the Ebro River in the south
Name the capital of Navarra.
Pamplona (Basque: Iruna)
What is the climate in Navarra?
Continental
- the northern area bordering Pais Vasco receives some maritime influence from the Bay of Biscay
- Montana area has the lowest temperatures & highest levels of rainfall
- Easternmost section is the coldest
- Westernmost section is the rainiest
- Zona Media is slightly drier than Montana w/ similar seasonal temperature swings
- Ribera has the largest seasonal temperature variations, lowest levels of rain & is subject to the Cierzo wind
- Bardenas Reales, in the southeastern area is so dry it is a semi-arid desert
Where are the majority of vineyards planted in Navarra?
Zona Media & Ribera, the 2 southern areas on hillside slopes & valley floors.
Name the highest mountain peak in Navarra.
Mesa de los Tres Reyes (Table of the Three Kings) (8,018ft/2,444m): located at the intersection of Navarra, Aragon, & the Bearn Province of France.
Name the tributaries of the Ebro River located in Navarra.
- Aragon River
- Arga River
- Ega River
What soil types are found in Navarra?
- Ebro River Basin: sedimentary loams, marls, & sands
- Northern areas: more alluvial
- Southern parts near the Sierra de la Demanda: more limestone
- Ebro River: more clay
What grape varieties are planted in Navarra?
- Tempranillo (34%)
- Garnacha (23%)
- Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot (30%)
- Chardonnay (5%)
What styles of wine are produced in Navarra?
- vino tinto (60%)
- vino rosado (30%)
- vino blanco (10%)
Note: 90% of vines planted are red varieties
What are the characteristics of white wines from Navarra?
Most vinos blancos are meant for early consumption.
However, some wineries are producing barrel-fermented, varietal Chardonnay in a Burgundian style.
How are the vinos rosados of Navarra made?
Via sangrado (saignee) in DO Navarra.
A max. 40l/100kg of juice may be extracted only by the use of gravity. What is left in the tank is used for red wine production.
It can take several hours to draw off the juice therefore a significant amount of flavor & color is extracted from the skins.
What are the characteristics of vinos rosados from Navarra?
Deeply-colored, full-bodied, & intensely flavored. Some versions have a lightly tannic grip.
What styles of vinos tintos are produced in Navarra?
Wine styles range from fresh wines with little or no oak to those with extended barrel aging.
Aged wines may carry the traditional aging designations of Crianza, Reserva, & Gran Reserva.
Blended red is customary in this region with the following being the dominant grapes:
* Tempranillo
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot
Name the only DOP of Navarra.
DO Navarra (1933)
What styles of wine are produced in DO Navarra?
- Tinto (63%)
- Rosado (25%)
- Blanco (11%)
- Other (1%)
What soil types are found in DO Navarra?
Predominantly marl, loam, & sand throughout; some limestone in the south; clay along the Ebro River.
What is the climate in DO Navarra?
Continental with maritime influences
* 16-22/400-550mm annual rainfall
Name the white grape varieties of DO Navarra.
Authorized:
* Garnacha Blanca
* Viura/Macabeo
* Malvasia Riojana/Alarije
* Moscatel de Grano Menudo
* Chardonnay
* Sauvignon Blanc
Name the red grape varieties of DO Navarra.
Authorized:
* Tempranillo
* Garnacha Tinta
* Graciano
* Mazuelo/Mazuela (Carinena)
* Merlot
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Syrah
* Pinot Noir
Name the 5 sub-zones of DO Navarra.
- Tierra Estella
- Valdizarbe
- Baja Montana
- Ribera Alta
- Ribera Baja
Which of DO Navarra’s sub-zones has the highest altitude?
Tierra Estella
Where in Navarra is Tierra Estella located?
This sub-zone of DO Navarra is the western-most sub-zone & borders parts of Pais Vasco & La Rioja.
Describe the topography of Tierra Estella.
The terrain is hilly & vineyard elevations are the highest of the 5 sub-zones.