North-Central Spain - Upper Ebro - Navarra

Answer 1

1. 2nd BC: grape growing and wine production under Roman rule
2. 1890s: Phylloxera destroyed 98% of the Navarra vineyards -> replanting predominantly w Garnacha
3. Since 1980s: move from bulk wine & rosé to quality & reds w private wineries & cooperatives bottling/labelling quality wine and thanks to the EVENA research

Answer 2

Directly north of Rioja Baja w vineyards on the lower slopes of the Pyrenees, descending towards the basin of the Ebro river
• 5 zones: Valdizarbe, Tierra Estella, Ribera Alta, Baja Montana & the most important Ribera Baja (30% of vineyards)

Various soils. Brownish grey limestone and alluvium soils in Ribera Baja.

Answer 3

1. Continental climate (long, hot dry summer and cold winters) with Atlantic influences in the northern zones that moderate the heat and slow the ripening
2. Average rainfall: 400-600mm.

Answer 4

Reds + Rosés (95% of Plantings)

1. Tempranillo - 36%
2. Garnacha - 32%
3. Cabernet Sauvignon - 13%
4. Merlot - 11%

Others: Graciano, Mazuelo

Whites - 5% of plantings

1. Viura - 4%
2. Chardonnay 1%
3. Garnacha Blanca

Answer 5

Reds & Rosés (95% of plantings)

Tempranillo – 36% of plantings

1. Premier native black grape w thick skin that ripens early i.e. several weeks earlier vs. most Spanish red grapes (temprano: ‘early’) which suits Navarra’s continental climate (i.e. shorter growing season)
2. 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

Garnacha – 32% of plantings

1. Buds early and requires a long growing season to fully ripen (often the last grape after Cab Sauv to be picked)
2. Vigorous vines i.e. hi yields that prefers hot dry soils
3. Thin skins w light pigments -> pale colour
4. The wines are hi in alcohol, low in tannins w relatively light flavours of raspberries, strawberries

Cabernet Sauvignon – 13%

1. Progeny of Cab Franc & Sauv Blc
2. Small-sized berries w concentrated phenolics
3. Ageing potential and affinity for oak
4. Moderate yields; deep coloured, tannic full-bodied wines w/blackcurrant aromas.

Merlot – 11%

1. One of the most planted dark-skinned grape in the world
2. Progeny of Cabernet Franc grape; early flowering (-> coulure risk), prone to rot
3. Responds better to damp, cool soils that retain moisture. Dry summers in well drained soils can lead to under-ripeness
4. Higher yielding in moderate climates
5. Medium body & tannins, adds smoothness to blend

Others: Graciano, Mazuelo

Answer 6

Whites (5% of plantings)

Viura 4%

1. Originally from France
2. Floral fresh fruit character with good acidity when grown in low yields

Chardonnay 1%

1. Hardy, easy to grow & versatile
2. Can produce interesting wines even at hi yields

Garnacha Blanca

1. Used in small amounts to add weight and body to Viura-based wines

Others: Moscatel

Answer 7

13,300ha w most vines are trellised (≠en vaso) to maximise exposure to sunlight and facilitate mechanisation

1. Hi planting density.
2. Key hazards: frost at higher altitude and occasional storms

EVENA (Estacion de Viticultura y Enologica de Navarra)

1. Research foundation located in an old distillery building near Pamplona
2. Pioneered work around soils, winemaking and bottling; has plantations of all majors vines scattered around the region and experiments with winemaking to pass the learning to winemakers.

Answer 8

47m litres/yr w 1/3 exported

Mainly known for light fresh Rosados & high quality reds.

White production is limited

Key producer:

Bodegas Julián Chivite

1. Oldest winery in Navarra: founded in 1647 by Julián Chivite; first DO Pago in 2007
2. Responsible for 75% of all Navarra exports until mid-80s; completely refurbished in 90
3. 3m btls/yr with Gran Feudo being the basic range up to the Coleccíon 125 Tempranillo-Cabernet

Ochoa

1. Small but dynamic bodega found in 1847 still run by the Ochoa family; produces 800k btls/yr
2. Produced the first age-worthy Reserva & Gran Reserva and Navarra’s first Muscat (made in Italian style) - Javier Ochoa directed the EVENA for a few years.
3. Signature wine: Ochoa Tempranillo; Moscatel Dulce