🇪🇸SPAIN–Aragon

ARAGON IS–  DO.- 5     VT.- 6     VP.- 1     @Zaragoza

  • BLANCO= Macabeo AKA=Viura/Alcanan, Malvasia, Parellata, Garnacha Blanco, Pedro Ximenez, Verdejo Blanco
    • –International– Chardonnay, Gewurztraminor, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
  • TINTO= Garnacha(Indigenous) AKA=Grenache, Mazuelo(Indigenous) AKA=Carinena, Juan Ibanez AKA=Moristel, Bobal, Monastrell, Tempranillo, Vidadillo
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah

GEOGRAPHY– Spain(North-East), REGION-Aragon, South of Pyrenees Mountains

  • PROVINCES-Huesca, Teruel, Zaragoza, “Non-Contiguous(5)”, LATITUDE: 42.6° ‘N’
  • BORDERS– Navarra(North), France(North-East), Cataluna(East), Valenciana(South), Castilla y Leon(North-West), Castilla-La Mancha(South-West)
  • Sub-Zones/ DO.’s– Calatayud DO., Campo de Borja DO., Carinena DO., Somontano DO.

TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Ebro)”

  • SLOPES/ (North)Pyrenees Mountains(Sierra de Moncayo, Sierra de la Virgen), +Alt. 350mt.- 900mt.
    • (South)Sistema Iberico(Sierra de Algaren Mountains, Moncayo Massif),  +Alt. 150mt.- 825mt.
  • On~Alcanadre/ Huerva/ Gallego~Tributaries~Ebro~Rivers~
  • ON PLATEAU/  Iberian, +Alt. 500mt.-1,000mt., IN BASIN/ Ebro, +Alt.150mt.- 300mt.

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone, Slate, Granite, Clay

CLIMATE– “Continental”,   *Summers– Long, Hot   |   *Winters– Cold

  • +RAIN SHADOW/~Pyrenees Mountains~,  +WINDS/~Ciezo~(From North-West)
  • +Diurnal Shift(Variations)+30°),  +CLIMATIC CHALLENGES/ Drought, Frost, Hail

VITICULTURE–

  • History of Old Vine(Vinas Viejas +50 yr.)/ Bush Trained Vineyards.
  • Porron- Traditional Glass Wine Pitcher Which Holds .75 Liters.  This Drinking Utensil Which Resembles and Watering Can Allows Multiple People Drink From the Same Communal Drinking Apparatus Without Touching Their Lips. Top of Porro is Narrow and Can Be Sealed With a Cork.

HISTORY & CULTURE– 

  • GASTRONOMY… Beans, Mushroom, Potato, Peaches, Pigeon, Sponge Cake
  • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Para la Promocion del Vino de Garnacha~
    • Mission~ To Improve Quality Standards and to Promote 5 DO.’s as the Cradle of Garnacha…Calatayud DO., Campo de Borja DO., Carinena DO., Somontano DO. and Terra Alta DO. In Catalunya.

**Refer to “SPAIN/ Home” For Detailed Information On Spain as a Country.

**Aragon Images Courtesy of Delong Maps, Purchase These Maps at Delongwine.com

  • Estate/ Producers-(Not Located In Demarcated DO.)– El Escocs, Frontonio

CAMPO De BORJA DO.     @Borja

  • BLANCO= Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Moscatel(de Alejandria), Moscatel(de Grano Menudo), Verdejo
    • –International– Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
  • TINTO= Garnacha 55%, Garnacha Tintorera, Mazuelo, Tempranillo
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon, PROVINCE-Zaragoza, East of Zaragoza-City(50 km.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, SLOPES/ Sierra de Moncayo Range, +Alt. 350mt.-650mt.
    • On~Huecha~River~Tributary~Ebro~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone, Stones, Clay
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”, +WINDS/~Ciezo~(From North-West)
  • VITICULTURE- 6,400 ha. Planted, (18% White/ 82% Red)
    • Estate/ Producers- Alto Moncayo, Borsao Borja(*1958/Co.-Op./375 Members), El Casetero, Coto de Hayas, Cuevas de Arom, Gil Pejenaute, Pagos del Moncayo, Vina Borgia
    • Vineyards- Las Paradas(1.5ha.)
  • CULTURE- 1980- DO. Officially Established.

CALATAYUD DO.      @Calatayud

  • BLANCO= Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Moscatel de Alejandria
    • –International– Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Malvasia, Sauvignon Blanc
  • TINTO= Garnacha, Bobal, Mazuelo, Monastrell, Tempranillo
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon, PROVINCE-Zaragoza, @Hw.#A2
    • BORDERS-Carinena DO.(North-East), South-West of Zaragoza-City(75 km.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Jalon~River~
    • SLOPES/ Sistema Iberico(Moncayo Massif/Sierra de la Virgen Range), +Alt. 550mt.- 1,050mt.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Brown Limestone, Slate, Shale, Clay, Sandy
  • VITICULTURE- 3,250 ha. Planted,  (8% White/ 92% Red)
    • Estate/ Producers- Atteca, Baltasar, Marques de Montanana, Las Rocas, San Alejandro(Co.-Op.), San Gregorio, La Sonriente, Virgen de la Sierra
  • VINICULTURE- Calatayud Superior(Garnacha +85%, Old Vine +50 yr.)
  • CULTURE- 1989- DO. Officially Established.

CARINENA DO.      @Carinena

  • BLANCO= Macabeo 11%, Garnacha Blanca, Moscatel(de Alejandria), Moscatel(Romano), Parellada
    • –International– Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer
  • TINTO= Garnacha(Indigenous) 31%, Tempranillo 25%, Carinena(Indigenous) 5% AKA=Mazuelo, Juan Ibanez, Monastrell, Parreleta, Vidadillo
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon 13%, Syrah 7%, Merlot
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon, PROVINCE-Zaragoza, @Hw.#AP-23, LATITUDE: 41.33° ‘N’
    • South-West of Zaragoza-City(40km.), BORDERS-Calatayud DO.(South-West)
    • CITIES-(14)-Aguaron, Aladren, Alfamen, Almonacid de la Sierra, Alpartir, Belchite, Carinena, Consuenda, Encinacorba, Longares, Mezalocha, Muel, Paniza, Tosos, Villanueva de la Huerva
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Ebro)/ High Plains”
    • SLOPES/ Sistema Iberico(Sierra de Algaren Mountains, Moncayo Massif),  +Alt. 400mt.- 825mt.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Alluvial, Cascajos-Cantos- Rounded Stones
    • Orange-Brown Clay, Limestone, Slate, Shale, Schist, Sandy
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”,  *Summers– Hot, Dry   |   *Winters– Cold, Wet
    • +WINDS/ ~Ciezo~(From North-West),  +Diurnal Shifts(+40°)
  • VITICULTURE- 14,150ha. Planted,   (11% White/ 89% Red)
    • +Old Vines/ +100 Years
    • Estate/ Producers- Abrazo Hugo, Anadas Care, Anayon, Care, Casa Luis, Castillo de Monseran, Grandes Vinos y Vinedos(Co.-Op.), Ignacio Marin, Marques de Carano, Monasterio de las Vinas, Navascues, La Nina Roja, Paniza(Co.-Op./ 400 Members), Los Royales, San Valero(Co.-Op./ 700 Members), Valderba(60ha.), Valdemadera, Vina Altogrado
  • VINICULTURE- Blanco, Rose,  Tinto,  Blends
    • Crianza,  Reserva,  Gran Reserva,  Vino Tinto Anejo(+ABV.+15%)
    • Official Cava Producing Sub-Zone In Carinena.
  • HISTORY & CULTURE- ~Pronounced~ “Car-een-yena”
    • 1932- DO. Was Officially Established
    • DO. and Producers Use Slogan  “El Vino de las Piedras.”…“Wine From Stones.”

SOMONTANO DO.     @Barbastro

  • BLANCO= Alconon, Garnacha Blanco, Macabeo, Verdejo Blanco
    • –International– Chardonnay, Gewurtztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
  • TINTO= Moristel 22%, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Parraleta, Tempranillo
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY– Spain, REGION–Aragon, PROVINCE-Huesca
    • North-East of Zaragoza-City(60 km.), South of France(60km.)
    • Sub-Zones-  Plains    Foothill    Mountains
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”
    • SLOPES/ Pyrenees Mountains, +Alt. 371mt., On~Cincoa/ Vero~River~
    • -Transitional-Zone-BETWEEN-Pyrenees Mountains & Ebro River
  • CLIMATE- “Continental”, +Diurnal Shifts(Variation)+40°)
    • +RAIN SHADOW/ Pyrenees Mountains,   +WINDS/ ~Ciezo~(From North-West)
  • VITICULTURE- 3,800 ha. Planted,  (43% White/ 57% Red)
    • Estate/ Producers- Aldahara, Alodia, Blecua, Comarcal de Somontano(Co.-Op.), Enate(450ha.), Estada, Fabregas, El Grillo y La Luna, Lalanne, Obergo, Otto Bestue, Pirineos, Pirineos, Sommos, Vinas Del Vero
  • CULTURE- 1984 DO. Officially Established.

Vino de la Tierra’s of Aragon

  • BLANCO= Any White Grapes Varieties Approved For Production In Aragon.
  • TINTO= Any Red Grapes Varieties Approved For Production In Aragon.
  • VINICULTURE- Wines Produced In “ARAGON” Non-Conforming to a DO.
    • V
    • VT.’s Give Producers the Ability to Work Freely With Preferred Viticulture Methods, In a Less Regulatory Environment.

VALDEFOLON VT.     @

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon(West), PROVINCE– ?
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Jolon~River~
  • VITICULTURE- ? ha. Planted,  (28% White/ 72% Red)
  • CULTURE- 1999- VT. Officially Established.

VALLE De CINCA VT.     @Monzon

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon(East), PROVINCE– ?
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Cinca~River~
  • VITICULTURE- ? ha. Planted,  (2% White/ 98% Red)
  • CULTURE- 2004- VT. Officially Established.

RIVERA Del JILOCA VT.      @

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon(South-Central), PROVINCE– ?
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Jiloca~River~
  • VITICULTURE- ? ha. Planted
  • CULTURE- 2006- VT. Officially Established.

RIBERA Del GALLEG-CINCO VILLAS VT.      @

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon(North-West), PROVINCE– ?
    • BORDERS-Navarra(West)
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Gallego~River~
  • VITICULTURE- ? ha. Planted,  (8% White/ 92% Red)
  • CULTURE- 2004- VT. Officially Established.

BAJO ARAGON VT.      @

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon, PROVINCE– ?
  • TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Guadalope/ Martin~River~Tributary~Ebro~
  • VITICULTURE- ? ha. Planted,  (18% White/ 82% Red)
  • CULTURE- 1999- VT. Officially Established.

RIBERA Del QUEILES VT.       @

  • RED= Garnacha, Graciano, Tempranillo
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon, PROVINCE– ?
    • BETWEEN-Nararra & Aragon, (Laps)Narrara
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Queiles~River~
    • Estate/ Producers- Guelbenzu

Vino de Pago VP.

Vino Pago Ayles VP.      @Ayles

  • RED= Garnacha, Tempranillo
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
  • WHITE= Pedro Ximenez
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION–Aragon, PROVINCE– ?, (30km. From Zargoza)
    • In Carinena DO.(East)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, +Alt. 600mt.
  • VITICULTURE- 47 ha. Planted, (10% White/ 90% Red)
  • HISTORY & CULTURE- 
    • Cistercian Monks Where Producing Wine From This Site In 1100’s.
  • **Refer to “SPAIN/Home Page” For Detailed Information On Vino Pago.

Important Indigenous Grapes

GARNACHA*(B)

  • OLD WORLD- Spain-Aragon(Somontano DO.(Indigenous)/ Aragon DO./ Carinena DO./ Campo de Borja DO.), Catalunya(Priorat DO.), Rhone Valley(Tavel AOC.)   Italy–Sardegna(Indigenous)   
    • Portugal   Algeria   Tunisia
  • NEW WORLD- America-California(Paso Robles AVA., Red Hills AVA./ Santa Ynez AVA.), Washington(Columbia Valley AVA.)
    • Australia-South Australia(McLaren Vale GI./ Barossa Valley GI.)
  • VITICULTURE- #7th. Most Planted Grape Variety In the World.(2016)
    • *PARENT-to-Portan, Caladoc, Chenanson, Marselan, Monerac, Ganson, Gramon
    • AKA=Grenache(France), Cannonau(Sardinia), Garnatxa(Basque/ Priorat), Guarnaccia, Siria, Vernaccia Nera(Marche)
    • *CLONES/ 6.1, 8.1, 70, 136, 224, 362, 362.1, 513, 513.1, 515, 515.1, 814, Alban 1, Alban 
    • *CLIMATE= Excels In “Continental”,  *VINE TRAINING= Bush Trained
    • *BUDDER/ Early,  *RIPENER/ Late,  *YIELDS/ High
    • *CLUSTERS/ X-Large,  *SKIN/ Thin
    • +RESISTANT/ Powdery Mildew/ Drought,  +SUSCEPTIBLE/ Millerandage, Oxidation, Shatter
    • *Easily Accumulates Sugar/ Alcohol 
    • *SELF PRESERVATION/ Shatters(When Water Stressed)
    • +MUTATIONS/ Garnacha Blanca, Garnacha Gris, Garnacha Pelude
  • VINICULTURE- +FORTIFIED– Vin Doux Naturel/ Banyul, Maury, Australia Stickies
      • +BLENDED/ Often, Chateauneuf du Pape(One of 8 Red/ 13 Grapes), Priorat, GSM./ Rhone Style Blends
      • +MONOTERPENES/ Rotundone, Terrazine
      • +STYLES/ Varies…Light and Fruity to Big and Bold,  Rose
    • Sight: Murky/ Ruby-Cherry
    • Aroma: Plum, Herb, White Pepper, Barnyard, Lavender, Earthy, Leather, Rustic, Orange Rind
    • Palate: Dry/ +BODY, Strawberry, Spice, Chocolate
    • Structure: Medi Tannins, +ABV., Medi Acid
      • FOOD PAIRING… Grilled Lamb, Sausages/ Stews
      • CHEESE PAIRING… Manchego
  • CULTURE- ~International Grenache Day~ (September 17th., 3rd. Friday)

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.