Spain: Navarra DO Flashcards
Navarra : The Growing Environment and Grape Growing
- NE of La Rioja
-10,200ha over 100km
-Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees all influence the region
5 Sub regions :
In the North, hilly regions of Baja Montana , Valdizarbe, and Tierra Estella -cooler and wetter with influence from the north Altantic
Rivera Alta in the middle
Rivera Baja in the south , warmer, flatter and drier
-small vineyard holding and growers sell to large co-ops
Navarra DO : Grape Varieties and Winemaking
- Tempranillo and Garnacha - deep colored wines - usually made as a single variety
Old bush vine Garnacha - lighter bodied wines with red berry, medium plus acid in the cooler Baja Montana, Valdizarbe and Tierra Estellla and riper warmer regions like Ribera Baja
-1980’s allowed for international varieties as well Cab Sauv, Merlot and Chardonnay
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Range of styles fro fruity, lighter bodied to fuller bodied wines matured in oak. Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva are widely used - French and AMerican oak are used - Tempranillo mostly American
and Cab Sauv, Merlot in French.
Chardonnay is most planted white
Wines are citrus and peach weith medium abv and Med-Med plus acidity , made in oaked and unoaked styles
Also Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains aka Moscatel de Grano Menudo
Overall wines are good to very good , inexpensive and mid priced eg.
Domaines Lupier
Navarra DO :Rose Winemaking
-Medium to deep coloured dry rose wines from Garnacha or blended with Temp, Cab Sauv and Merlot
-grapes are sourced from the cooler regions of the north
-Must be made by short maceration on the skins - NO direct pressing permitted
3-4 hours for paler wines and 6-12 for deep colour
Fermented in SS tanks and bottled soon after to retain red berry flacours
Some use old oak to mature the wines
