20.4 Spain - Navarra & 20.5 Aragon

Question 1

How many sub-regions does Navarra DO have?

Answer 1

Five

Question 2

Where is Navarra DO situated?

Answer 2

To the north-east of La Rioja

Question 3

What three climatic features influence Navarra DO’s climate?

Answer 3

1) Atlantic to the north-west
2) Mediterranean to the south-east
3) Pyrenees to the north-east

Question 4

What are the five sub-regions of Navarra DO?

Answer 4

1) Baja Montana
2) Valdizarbe
3) Tierra Estella
4) Ribera Alta
5) Ribera Baja

Question 5

What three Navarra DOs have most Atlantic influence and so are cooler, wetter?

Answer 5

1) Baja Montana
2) Valdizarbe
3) Tierra Estella

Question 6

Describe Ribera Baja

Answer 6

In the south of the region becoming progressively warmer, drier and flatter towards the southern end

Question 7

Until a government-funded research programme in the 1970s, which variety was the most planted in Navarra DO?

Answer 7

Garnacha

Question 8

What is now the most common black grape variety in Navarra DO?

Answer 8

Tempranillo

Question 9

Are international varieties permitted in Navarra DO?

Answer 9

Yes - Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay

Question 10

For which varieties is French oak common in Navarra DO?

Answer 10

International varieties

Question 11

For which varieties is American oak common in Navarra DO?

Answer 11

Tempranillo

Question 12

What is the principal white variety of Navarra DO?

Answer 12

Chardonnay

Question 13

What four other white varieties are also grown in Navarra DO?

Answer 13

1) Moscatel de Grano Menudo
2) Sauvignon Blanc
3) Viura
4) Malvasia

Question 14

Is direct pressing permitted in Navarra DO?

Answer 14

No, short maceration only

Question 15

What are the four principal wine regions of Aragon?

Answer 15

1) Carinena
2) Campo de Borja
3) Calatayud
4) Somontano

Question 16

What is the climate of the three inland Aragon DOs?

Answer 16

Warm continental with hot, dry summer

Question 17

What is the Cierzo?

Answer 17

A cold wind that blows from the north helping to moderate temperatures and slow ripening

Question 18

Besides the Cierzo, what other factor helps moderate temperatures and slow ripening?

Answer 18

Altitude between 350-900m depending on DO

Question 19

What is the highest of the inland DOs?

Answer 19

Calatayud

Question 20

What is the principal variety of Aragon’s inland DOs?

Answer 20

Garnacha

Question 21

How are most of Aragon’s inland DO vineyards planted? Why?

Answer 21

Bush vines at low densities due to the low rainfall and rocky, free-draining soils

Question 22

Pests and diseases are rarely a problem in Aragon’s inland DOs. Why?

Answer 22

The dry and windy conditions

Question 23

Most wine in Aragon’s inland DOs are made by what company type?

Answer 23

Co-ops

Question 24

The majority of Aragon’s inland DOs produce what sort of wine?

Answer 24

Inexpensive red wine made for early consumption.

Question 25

What’s helping improve the image of Aragon’s inland DOs?

Answer 25

A handful of producers are making wines from old-vine Garnacha with an aim to showcase the quality of fruit (with minimal oak use)

Question 26

How does Somontano’s climate differ from the other three principal DOs of Aragon?

Answer 26

It is warm continental but with higher rainfall spread throughout the year and cool breezes off the Pyrenees.

Question 27

What are the two most planted varieties in Somontano?

Answer 27

Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay

Question 28

What is unusual about Somontano for a Spanish wine region?

Answer 28

There are significant plantings of Gewurztraminer

Question 29

What is the main issue for the wines of Somontano?

Answer 29

Competition from the large number of better known regions across the world producing wines from the same grape varieties