Spain - Navarra & Aragon

Question 1

Navarra
Where is it located, what is the climatic influence and what is the size (ha)?

Answer 1

• North-east of Rioja
• Atlantic, Mediterranean, Pyrenees
• 11,000 ha

Question 2

Navarra
Name the five sub-regions and rough climate

Answer 2

• Cooler and wetter
• Baja Montaña
• Valdizarbe
• Tierra Estella
• Warmer, drier, and flatter
• Ribera Alta
• Ribera Baja

Question 3

Navarra
Name the black varieties (in descending order of importance)

Answer 3

• Tempranillo
• Garnacha
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot

Question 4

Navarra
Name the white varieties (in descending order of importance)

Answer 4

• Chardonnay
• Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains)
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Viura (Macabeo)
• Malvasía

Question 5

Navarra
Describe the range of styles of red wines made (varieties, general style)

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Navarra
What type of oak is generally used for the different varieties?

Answer 6

French: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
American: Tempranillo

Question 7

Navarra
Describe the range of style of white wines made (varieties, aromas, acidity, alcohol, oak)

Answer 7

• Typically from Chardonnay
• Citrus, peach
• Medium to medium(+) acidity
• Medium alcohol
• Unoaked and oaked styles

Question 8

Navarra
What do some think is the variety with the highest potential and what wines does it produce?

Answer 8

• Garnacha
• Cooler regions: lighter bodied wines with red berry fruit and medium(+) acidity
• Warmer regions: fuller-bodied, more tannic wines

Question 9

Navarra
Describe the range of style of rosé wines made (color, varieties, source of grapes, methods, vessels, oak/ageing)

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Navarra
What is the typical quality and price level?

Answer 10

• Good to very good quality (some outstanding)
• Inexpensive to mid-priced (some premium)

Question 11

Navarra
Name two significant producers

Answer 11

• Domaines Lupier
• Bodegas J. Chivite

Question 12

Aragon
What wine regions does Aragon comprise and where are they located?

Answer 12

• West
• Cariñena
• Campo de Borja
• Calatayud
• North-east, with very different climate
• Somontano

Question 13

Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What is the climate and rainfall?

Answer 13

• Warm continental
• Max rainfall: 450-500mm

Question 14

Aragon - 3 regions (west)
Where are vineyards in the three regions located and at what altitudes?

Answer 14

• High altitude plateaus and slopes
• 500-900m in Calatayud
• 400-800m in Cariñena
• 350-700m in Campo de Borja

Question 15

Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What further moderating influence is there and what does the high altitude promote?

Answer 15

• Cold wind called “cierzo” blows from the north
• High diurnal range
• Retained acidity
• Slow ripening

Question 16

Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What types of wines are produced?

Answer 16

Mostly red wines from old Garnacha vines

Question 17

Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What is the soil and other conditions in the vineyard?

Answer 17

• Rocky, free draining soils
• Mainly bush vines at low densities
• Dry and windy conditions -> typically no problems with pests and diseases

Question 18

Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What can be a problem in the vineyard?

Answer 18

Spring frosts

Question 19

Aragon - 3 regions (west)
What is mainly produced? What other style is there?

Answer 19

• High volume, inexpensive red wines for early drinking
• Very good wines from old Garnacha vines

Question 20

Aragon - 3 regions (west)
Describe the typical style of high volume, inexpensive red wine (temp and vessel, aromas, body, tannin, alcohol)

Answer 20

• Moderate fermentation temps in stainless steel
• Ripe red and black fruits
• Medium to full body
• Medium tannins
• High alcohol

Question 21

Aragon - 3 regions (west)
Describe the typical style of higher quality red wine (aromas, oak, acidity, tannin, alcohol, quality, price)

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

Aragon - Somontano (north-east)
What is the climate and rainfall?

Answer 22

• Warm continental
• Slightly higher rainfall than other 3 regions

Question 23

Aragon - Somontano (north-east)
Where are the vineyards located and what other influences are there?

Answer 23

• 350-650m altitude
• Large diurnal range
• Cold breezes from the Pyrenees

Question 24

Aragon - Somontano (north-east)
What are the most grown varieties?

Answer 24

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chardonnay
• Gewürztraminer
• and lots of other varieties

Question 25

Aragon - Somontano (north-east)
What is the typical quality and price of the wines and what is a problem of the region?

Answer 25

• Good to very good quality
• Mid-priced
• Competition from better known regions across the world that have the same grape varieties