By Álvaro Hernando, International Sommelier
The denominations of the Aragon wines located northeast of Spain they have very varied landscapes and climates.
At present, the wine-growing territory of Aragon It is made up of four denominations of origin: Somontano, Calatayud, Campo de Borja and Cariñena. Also for six wine areas of the land Valle del Cinca, Ribera del Gallego / Cinco Villas, Bajo Aragón, Campo de Belchite, Valdejalón and Valle del Jiloca.
The wines of Aragon in Somontano
These are among the Ebro river y The Pyrenees. In the center of the province of Huesca, near the border with France.
Starting from its very etymological essence, the area of production of Somontano extends "at the foot of the mountain" in the plain of the Pyrenees from the province of Alto Aragonés. Within the region from which it takes its name.
The production area of the appellation of origin Somontano presents three differentiated areas: the mountains, the Somontano proper and the plains.
La DO Somontano It has 4640 hectares of vineyards and 15 varieties of grapes. Both local and foreign, they come from more than 4000 hectares of plantations. These are the raw material from which its excellent wines are born.
All the grape varieties cultivated are, in white grapes: Chardonnay, Viura-Macabeo, Alcañon, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Garnacha Blanca. In red grapes: Tempranillo with 17%, Cabernet Sauvignon with 32%, Garnacha, Parraleta (Graciano clone), Moristel, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
Meteorology and climate in this region
La DO Somontano It was established in 1984 and is characterized by its continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. It suffers sudden changes in temperature at the end of spring and autumn.
The mean annual temperature can be in 11 degrees centigrade. Its temperature between day and night varies greatly. This allows the strains to maintain their acidity and aromas.
The precipitations are descending from north to south and from west to east. As a result of this and the increase in temperatures, the plants' need for water increases. The annual average can be around 500 millimeters.
The wines made under the Denomination of Origin Somontano They have very peculiar characteristics. They are of a very good graduation, fruity and with adequate acidity. They are wines very adapted to the current taste.
CALATAYUD
It is the most recent of the Aragon wines, is located in the province of Zaragoza. Adjoins the provinces of Soria, Guadalajara and Teruel. The Protected Designation of Origin Calatayud It was established in 1989.
The edaphological conditions at the altitude where the vineyards are located and the prevailing weather conditions in the area make this place special. Attached to variety Red Grenache, turn this Designation of Origin in a privileged place for the cultivation of the vine and the production of wines. With the marked personality resulting from a classic "terroir".
El climate of DO Calatayud it is characterized by its continentality, with cold winters and hot summers. The average annual temperature is 13,1 degrees with great differences between night and day. This is the case during the ripening season, from 5 to 7 months of frost. Temperatures and rainfall vary from the bottom of the pit with mild temperatures and low rainfall.
Although they also reach lower temperatures and slightly higher rainfall as we ascend. The average rainfall is 300 - 550 mm.
The terrain is undulating, with most of the vineyard settling on loose, very poor stony soils with a high proportion of limestone. They have good permeability and are healthy. The vineyards descend the slopes of the mountains. Altitudes range from 550 to 1040 meters.
Its features highlight its "terroir"
The predominant grape variety in the DO is Red Grenache although other red varieties are also grown such as: Tempranillo, Syrah, Mazuela, Merlot, Cabernet Savignon, Bobal and Monastrell. Among the white varieties, Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc stand out.
The red varieties represent 92% compared to the white ones that represent 8% of the total surface (approximately 3200 hectares in total in the DOP Calatayud). The Garnacha It occupies an area of 1730 hectares representing 54% of the total area of the DOP
The next variety most implanted in red varieties is the Tempranillo with 672 hectares and 21%, followed by Syrah with 224 hectares and 7%. Within the white varieties, the Viura It is the most implanted with 256 hectares representing 8%.
BORJA FIELD
The viticultural heritage of the DO Campo de Borja It is very rich in terms of Grenache. The oldest vineyards in the DO date from 1145. Of the 5000 hectares of grenache, more than 2000 are between the ages of 30 and 50. They are low productions, but immensely appreciated oenologically for their structural and aromatic complexity. Just what it provides to wines from Aragon.
The Garnacha area
The planting altitude of the vineyards ranges from 350 meters in the lowest area to 700 meters in the estimates of the Moncayo. The types of soils that we find are limestone browns in the lower zone, with gravel and clayey in the rest.
All the diversity of micro-climates and soils enriches the nuances of the impressive viticultural heritage of the Garnachas of our land. This allows us to name Borja field the empire of Grenache.
La DO Campo de Borja treasures among its wines authentic jewels in which the variety Garnacha reaches all its splendor. They are monovarietal red wines that are enjoying wide prestige throughout the world. For its very defined personality, quality and complexity. This makes them unique in the world.
At Lóleo Eventos, DO Campo de Borja The Tempranillo, Mazuela, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah varieties are also authorized in red. Macabeo, Chardonnay and Muscat in white.
If any nuance defines these Aragon wines it is its unique balance. Product of the rich contrast present in the area and the firm will to combine modernity and tradition. They are intense wines, with clear fruit aromas, energy and personality.
CARINENA
Is one of the DO older than Spain. Carignan, located in the middle Ebro ValleyIt has an area of approximately 14400 hectares. The Designation of Origin It is located 42 kilometers south of Zaragoza.
The soil, the climate, the altitude (between 400-800 meters) and the orography are combined in different ways to give the territory a great aptitude. Everything for the excellent wine-growing activity. These Aragon wines are characteristic.
In the mountainous foothills there are poor soils with very close rocky substratum, with poor yields. You have serious difficulties using agricultural machinery. In the plain where more than 80% of the Denomination Miocene clay soils are found.
The climate of the area is defined as medium temperate with a notable tendency to continentalize. Winters are cold and summers are very hot. The winds that frequently blow throughout the region and the torrential nature of many of its watercourses hinder its rainfall. These give rise to a semi-arid landscape. A characteristic of the wind in the area, called North wind, is the one that contributes to the dryness of the climate.
El Cariñena field It is an area specially equipped for the elaboration of reds and rosés, as well as natural sweet wines.
The red grape varieties are: Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vidadillo, Juan Ibañez, Cariñena, Merlot, Syrah and Monastrell. In white varieties they are Viura, Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Moscatel de Alejandria and Parellada.
In general, all these Aragon wines they enjoy the peculiarity of the entire autonomous community of the northeast of the peninsula.
