Aragón, beautifully located Autonomous Community just at the bottom of Pyrenees.
Well known for its cultural diversity and impressive historical villages shining there for ages, Aragón is even highly appreciated for wine production and native grape “Garnacha Tinta” cultivated around the World.
The vineyard surface area in Aragón was occupying around 37.828 ha in 2022.
Main Influences
- Different altitudes of every D.O.
- Mediterranean micro climate (Brings humidity)
- Continental influence (Hot and dry summer days)
- Low impact of Atlantic Ocean
These influences vary depending on the proper D.O. being closer or not to Pyrenees or central plateau “Meseta Central “. Cause even existence of special terroir for V.P. (Estate Winery) wine production.
The long history of vilification in Aragón starts during the Roman Empire and later under the govern of Goths. During the Muslim domination came restriction.
At the end of Middle Age during the Reconquest above all the Catholic Church started re-cultivation. The Phylloxera caused devastation in 20th century and brings new techniques and grape varieties.
Areas of production are divided in following D.O.
- D.O. Somontano
- D.O. Calatayud
- D.O. Campo de Borja
- D.O. Cariñena
- V.P. Pago de Aylés
- D.O. Cava
D.O. Somontano
Somontano is the most northern D.O. within Aragón located in Huesca Province around the city of Barbastro. Geographically the area is transition between the valley of river “Río Ebro” and massif of Pyrenees.
History of wine-making is going back to Roman Times when the cultivation got advanced techniques later enriched during Middle Age by monasteries.
Climate is continental reaching hot days in the summer being protected by range of mountains. There are huge differences between day and night temperatures. Daily freeze in winter is very common. Altitude oscillate from 350 – 1.000 m.a.s.
Authorized Grape Varieties:
WHITE: Macabeo, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Alcanón, Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca.
RED: Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Parraleta, Moristel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Official Quality Label:
Recommended Wineries:
Enate – Salas Altas
Bodegas Sommos – Barbastro
D.O. Calatayud
The western part of Zaragoza Province is known as wine region Calatayud, one the youngest D.O. in Aragón.
Located on the hilly landscape around rivers Jalón, Jiloca, Perejiles, Manubles, Mesa, Piedra and Ribota has influence on slightly different conditions, temperatures and soil on every valley of these rivers.
The climate is continental, pretty hot in summer and chilly in the winter. Altitude of vineyards is between 600 – 1.100 m.a.s.
Authorized Grape Varieties:
WHITE: Macabeo, Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay, Moscatel de Alejandría, Malvasía, Gewurztraminer.
RED: Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo, Tempranillo, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah.
Official Quality Label:
Recommended Wineries:
Raíces Ibéricas – Maluenda
D.O. Campo de Borja
This D.O. is located around the village Borja west from capital Zaragoza. Officially recognized in 1.977.
The proper D.O. is naturally divided in 2 parts: low area is close to river Ebro where vineyards are planted between 350 – 450 m.a.s. (Zona Baja). Upper area close to mountains “Sierra Moncayo” are planted between 550 – 700 m.a.s.
The climate is continental with some influences by Atlantic Ocean during the winter while in summer prevail the breeze of Mediterranean. Both parts have slightly different conditions due to elevation.
Authorized Grape Varieties:
WHITE: Macabeo, Chardonnay, Moscatel de Alejandría.
RED: Garnacha Tinta, Mazuela, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah.
Official Quality Label:
Recommended Wineries:
Borsao – Borja
D.O. Cariñena
The oldest D.O. within Aragón recognized since 1.932, situated in the western part of Autonomous Community, carrying name of grape variety Cariñena.
“WINE BORN ON STONES” is their own description of wines cultivated on pretty rocky soils. Located around the valley of river Ebro, vineyards lies between 400 – 800 m.a.s.
Climate has a continental influence with huge difference between hot summer and chilly winter with snowy days. Even differences between daily temperature and night ones are higher than could be expected. Another important role plays “CIERZO” – a strong, fresh and dry northern wind.
Authorized Grape Varieties:
WHITE: Macabeo, Garnacha Blanca, Moscatel de Alejandría, Chardonnay, Parellada, Cariñena Blanca.
RED: Garnacha Tinta (Reaching over 50 % of surface), Cariñena, Tempranillo, Monastrell, Juan Ibañez, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah.
Official Quality Label:
Recommended Wineries:
Bodegas Care – Cariñena.
V.P. Pago de Aylés
This tiny Estate Winery located nearby Mezalocha village and within area of D.O. Cariñena was recognized back in 2011.
Cultivated any 46 ha around the valley of river “Río Huerva” shows unique fertile soil composed mostly of clay and limestone. This aspect together with special micro-climate was reason to create V.P. Pago de Aylés.
Actually production of Finca Aylés is fully organic & sustainable agriculture being certified since 2020.
Authorized Grape Varieties:
RED: Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Official Quality Label:
Recommended Wineries: One unique winery Finca Aylés.
D.O. Cava
D.O. Cava is a special multi-regional designated area spread out around Spain producing sparkling wines. Officially recognized in 1.986 at the moment there are any 36.000 ha covered with grapes destined to produce sparkling wine around country.
Aging of Cava:
- Cava (Aged 9 months+)
- Cava Reserva (Aged 18 months+)
- Cava Gran Reserva (Aged 30 months+)
- Cava Paraje Calificado (Aged 36 months+)
Locations of sparkling wine production:
Álava, Badajoz, Barcelona, Girona, La Rioja, Lérida, Navarra, Tarragona, Valencia and Zaragoza.
Authorized Grape Varieties:
WHITE: Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo, Subirat Parent, Chardonnay.
RED: Garnacha Tinta, Trepat, Pinot Noir, Monastrell.
Official Quality Label:
TRAVELLING SPAIN 