Spain: Aragon

Question 1

How many wine regions are there in the autonomous community of Aragon?

Answer 1

4

Question 2

Name the 4 wine regions in Aragon.

Answer 2

Carinena
campo de Borja
Calatayud
Somontano

Question 3

Which Aragon regions are in the west, near the city of Zaragoza?

Answer 3

Carinena
campo de Borja
Calatayud

Question 4

Where in Aragon is Somontano, what does that mean?

Answer 4

to the NE, close to the border of Catalunya- it has a very different climate

Question 5

What is the climate like in the west of Aragon?

Answer 5

warm continental climate with. hot dry summers

Question 6

Average rainfall in the west of Aragon DO?

Answer 6

450-500 mm

Question 7

In the west of Aragon, where are the vineyards generally located?

Answer 7

On high altitude plateaus and slopes

Question 8

What is the altitude in Calatayud, Aragon?

Answer 8

500-900 m

Question 9

What is the altitude in Carinena, Aragon?

Answer 9

400-800 m

Question 10

What is the altitude in Campo de Borja, Aragon?

Answer 10

350-700 m

Question 11

Which region in Aragon is the highest altitude?

Answer 11

Calatayud (500-900 m)

Question 12

how does altitude help in Aragon?

Answer 12

Gives a high diurnal range and helps to retain acidity in the grapes

Question 13

What is the name of the cold wine in the west of Aragon and where does it come from?

Answer 13

Cierzo, blows from the north

Question 14

What colour wine is primarily made in Aragon?

Answer 14

Red

Question 15

What is the principle variety in the west of Aragon?

Answer 15

Garnacha

Question 16

Why are you likely to find lots of bush vines planted at low density in Aragon?

Answer 16

A lack of precipitation and rocky free draining soils

Question 17

What is the soil like in the west of Aragon

Answer 17

Rocky, free draining

Question 18

Why are pests and diseases rarely problematic in Aragon DO?

Answer 18

It’s dry and windy

Question 19

What hazard is a threat in the west of Aragon?

Answer 19

Spring frosts

Question 20

What is the main type of producer in the west of Aragon?

Answer 20

Co-ops

Question 21

In the west of Aragon, what style of wine is made?

Answer 21

High volume, inexpensive red wines for early drinking.

Question 22

Red wines in the west of Aragon DO tend to be fermented in ______ at ______ temperatures

Answer 22

Stainless steel

Moderate

Question 23

Describe a wine from the west of Aragon?

Answer 23

Medium-full bodied
High alcohol
Medium tanins
Ripe red and black fruits

Question 24

How are quality focussed producers in the west of Aragon differentiating themselves?

Answer 24

Old vine Garnacha

Question 25

Would you expect wines from the West of Aragon to be made in oak?

Answer 25

No for the majority (stainless steel) Quality produces aim to showcase the quality of fruit and so time in oak will be limited- more old oak and larger vessels

Question 26

Describe a premium wine made in one of Aragon's westerly regions

Answer 26

``` Concentrated raspberry and plum Subtle spicy notes from oak Medium + acidity Medium to medium + tannins High alcohol mid- premium ```

Question 27

Where is Somontano DO?

Answer 27

In Aragon, Spain. Somontano is located at the foot of the Pyrenees.

Question 28

What is the climate like in Somontano?

Answer 28

Warm, continental climate

Question 29

Is the rainfall in Somontano higher or lower than in Carinena, Campo de Borja and Calatayud?

Answer 29

Slightly higher and more evenly spread through the year

Question 30

Where in Aragon are Carinena, Campo de Borja and Calatayud?

Answer 30

The west

Question 31

What altitude are vineyards found at in Somontano?

Answer 31

350-650 m

Question 32

What helps to moderate the temperature in Somontano?

Answer 32

Cold breezes coming down from the Pyrenees and Altitude

Question 33

What grape varieties are grown in Somontano?

Answer 33

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurtztraminer

Question 34

What has been important for the development of Somontano?

Answer 34

External investment

Question 35

Until around 40 years ago there were only a handful of producers in Somontano but now there are over ___

Answer 35

30 (lol so small)

Question 36

Who first invested in Somontano

Answer 36

A local bank which created a modern, high tech winery- Vinas del Vero

Question 37

what is the name of the largest producer in Somontano DO?

Answer 37

Vinas del Vero

Question 38

Who owns Somontano's Vinas del Vero?

Answer 38

Since 2008- Gonzales Byass of Jerez and Barbadillo (also a sherry producer)

Question 39

What quality level are wines from Somontano?

Answer 39

good - v good

Question 40

What is the biggest competition for Somontano wines on the market?

Answer 40

large number of other, better known regions across the world that produce wines from the same grape varieties