North-Central Spain - Upper Ebro - Calatayud

Answer 1

Continental w hot dry summers and cold winters with frost for 6 months most years. Avg rainfall: 300-500mm

Arid environment

1. Directly south-west of Carinena in the region of Aragon.
2. Most vineyards are on south-facing slopes 550-800m hi on both banks of the Jalón river, a tributary from Ebro.
3. Soils are rocky & friable i.e. brown limestone & loam over slate and gypsum.

Answer 2

Reds (83% of plantings)

1. Garnacha (80% of production)
2. Mostly likely to originate from Northern Spain
3. Strong wood canopy & resistance to wind make it suited for dry, warm & windy climates
4. Buds early and requires a long growing season to fully ripen (often the last grape after Cab Sauv to be picked)
5. Vigorous vines i.e. hi yields that prefers hot dry soils
6. Thin skins w light pigments -> pale colour
7. The wines are hi in alcohol, low in tannins w relatively light flavours of raspberries, strawberries
8. Lower yields produce darker, more tannic wines w/darker fruit & more complex flavours
9. Often blended to add body and fruitiness or used for Rosados
10. Tempranillo
11. Premier native black grape w thick skin that ripens early i.e. several weeks earlier vs. most Spanish red grapes (temprano: ‘early’)
12. Thrives in chalky soils & moderate climates for better acidity & elegance
13. Little resistance to pest and diseases
14. Wines are med->full bodied, low to med+ acidity, w/med tannins and flavours of strawberry, cherry, raspberry & plum. Oak and ageing add flavours of herbs, mushrooms, leather & tobacco
15. 2nd most planted grape in the world
16. Most planted red wine grape variety in the world

Others: Mazuelo, Monastrell, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet

Answer 3

Whites (17% of plantings)

1. Viura
2. Originally from FR
3. Floral fresh fruit character with good acidity when grown in low yields
4. Mostly planted in Rioja & Catalunya
5. Forms the basis for Cava

Others: Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay

Answer 4

5,600ha – DO since 1990. Very low yields (20hl/ha).

1. 80%of production is red wine made from Garnacha and Tempranillo for rich, powerful reds
2. Recent investment in stainless steel and refrigeration for international crisp whites made from Viura and Rosados from Garnacha
3. Use of new barrel ageing

San Gregorio = most successful co-op exporter. The Maluenda and the San Alejandro cooperatives have taken the lead w well-priced international style wines