Spain - Navarra & Aragon Flashcards
Navarra
Where is it located, what is the climatic influence and what is the size (ha)?
- North-east of Rioja
- Atlantic, Mediterranean, Pyrenees
- 11,000 ha
Navarra
Name the five sub-regions and rough climate
- Cooler and wetter
- Baja Montaña
- Valdizarbe
- Tierra Estella
- Warmer, drier, and flatter
- Ribera Alta
- Ribera Baja
Navarra
Name the black varieties (in descending order of importance)
- Tempranillo
- Garnacha
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
Navarra
Name the white varieties (in descending order of importance)
- Chardonnay
- Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains)
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Viura (Macabeo)
- Malvasía
Navarra
Describe the range of styles of red wines made (varieties, general style)
- Single varietal Tempranillo (sometimes Garnacha)
- Or blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
- Style 1: fruity, lighter-bodied, early drinking
- Style 2: fuller-bodied, oaked, more concentrated
Navarra
What type of oak is generally used for the different varieties?
French: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
American: Tempranillo
Navarra
Describe the range of style of white wines made (varieties, aromas, acidity, alcohol, oak)
- Typically from Chardonnay
- Citrus, peach
- Medium to medium(+) acidity
- Medium alcohol
- Unoaked and oaked styles
Navarra
What do some think is the variety with the highest potential and what wines does it produce?
- Garnacha
- Cooler regions: lighter bodied wines with red berry fruit and medium(+) acidity
- Warmer regions: fuller-bodied, more tannic wines
Navarra
Describe the range of style of rosé wines made (color, varieties, source of grapes, methods, vessels, oak/ageing)
- Medium to deep color (depending on maceration time)
- Most from Garnacha, sometimes blended with Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
- Grapes sourced from cooler regions
- Short maceration or direct pressing
- Mostly stainless steel
- Some ferment and/or mature in barrels
Navarra
What is the typical quality and price level?
- Good to very good quality (some outstanding)
- Inexpensive to mid-priced (some premium)
Navarra
Name two significant producers
- Domaines Lupier
- Bodegas J. Chivite
Aragon
What wine regions does Aragon comprise and where are they located?
- West
- Cariñena
- Campo de Borja
- Calatayud
- North-east, with very different climate
- Somontano
Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What is the climate and rainfall?
- Warm continental
- Max rainfall: 450-500mm
Aragon - 3 regions (west)
Where are vineyards in the three regions located and at what altitudes?
- High altitude plateaus and slopes
- 500-900m in Calatayud
- 400-800m in Cariñena
- 350-700m in Campo de Borja
Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What further moderating influence is there and what does the high altitude promote?
- Cold wind called “cierzo” blows from the north
- High diurnal range
- Retained acidity
- Slow ripening
Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What types of wines are produced?
Mostly red wines from old Garnacha vines
Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What is the soil and other conditions in the vineyard?
- Rocky, free draining soils
- Mainly bush vines at low densities
- Dry and windy conditions -> typically no problems with pests and diseases
Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What can be a problem in the vineyard?
Spring frosts
Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What is mainly produced? What other style is there?
- High volume, inexpensive red wines for early drinking
- Very good wines from old Garnacha vines
Aragon - 3 regions (west)
Describe the typical style of high volume, inexpensive red wine (temp and vessel, aromas, body, tannin, alcohol)
- Moderate fermentation temps in stainless steel
- Ripe red and black fruits
- Medium to full body
- Medium tannins
- High alcohol
Aragon - 3 regions (west)
Describe the typical style of higher quality red wine (aromas, oak, acidity, tannin, alcohol, quality, price)
- Concentrated raspberry and plum fruit
- Limited oak (often old) -> focus on fruit
- Medium(+) acidity
- Medium to medium(+) tannins
- High alcohol
- Very good quality
- Mid- to premium priced
Aragon - Somontano (north-east)
What is the climate and rainfall?
- Warm continental
- Slightly higher rainfall than other 3 regions
Aragon - Somontano (north-east)
Where are the vineyards located and what other influences are there?
- 350-650m altitude
- Large diurnal range
- Cold breezes from the Pyrenees
Aragon - Somontano (north-east)
What are the most grown varieties?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chardonnay
- Gewürztraminer
- and lots of other varieties
Aragon - Somontano (north-east)
What is the typical quality and price of the wines and what is a problem of the region?
- Good to very good quality
- Mid-priced
- Competition from better known regions across the world that have the same grape varieties
