Spain: Navarra DO

Question 1

Navarra : The Growing Environment and Grape Growing

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

Navarra DO : Grape Varieties and Winemaking

Answer 2

• 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
  -
  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

Question 3

Navarra DO :Rose Winemaking

Answer 3

-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