The 4 DOs
| DO | Year | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Cariñena | 1932 | Oldest; 80+ yr vines; Garnacha 32% |
| Campo de Borja | 1980 | Garnacha 55%; 3 zones; elegant |
| Somontano | 1984 | Northernmost; wettest; 65% intl |
| Calatayud | 1989 | Highest elevations (1,040m); Garnacha 62% |
DO Cariñena (1932)
Oldest DO in Aragón. Named after grape but Cariñena grape = only 5%!
Garnacha 32% + Tempranillo 23% dominant.
1415: King Fernando I's preferred wine for Nice trip.
1773: Voltaire praised exceptional character.
One of highest concentrations of old vines in Spain. Many 80+ years; some 100+.
Garnacha 32% + Tempranillo 23% dominant.
1415: King Fernando I's preferred wine for Nice trip.
1773: Voltaire praised exceptional character.
One of highest concentrations of old vines in Spain. Many 80+ years; some 100+.
DO Campo de Borja (1980)
NW Zaragoza; borders S Navarra. Garnacha 55%.
Oldest vines: 1890. 6 co-operatives. Slightly more elegant wines.
Oldest vines: 1890. 6 co-operatives. Slightly more elegant wines.
| Zone | Elevation | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Zona Baja | 350-450m | Aromatic, powerful |
| Zona Media | 450-550m | Powerful, structured |
| Zona Alta | 550-700m | Most elegant, finesse |
DO Somontano (1984)
Northernmost, wettest, greenest Aragonese DOP.
Pyrenean foothills; French winemakers settled during phylloxera.
International varieties = 65% of plantings.
Spanish varieties = only 17%.
Pyrenean foothills; French winemakers settled during phylloxera.
International varieties = 65% of plantings.
Spanish varieties = only 17%.
Only 3 grapes native to region:
Moristel Parraleta Alcañón
Moristel Parraleta Alcañón
DO Calatayud (1989)
Near Moncayo Massif (Sistema Ibérico). Highest vineyards in Aragón — up to 1,040m.
Garnacha = 62%; 92% black varieties.
80% of vineyards at 650-900m.
Deep, concentrated, flinty wines with fresh acidity.
Garnacha = 62%; 92% black varieties.
80% of vineyards at 650-900m.
Deep, concentrated, flinty wines with fresh acidity.
| Designation | Vine Age | Max Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Viñas Viejas | 35+ years | 4,500 kg/ha |
| Calatayud Superior | 50+ years | 3,500 kg/ha (85% Garnacha) |
Geography
| Mountains | Pyrenees (N), Sistema Ibérico (S) |
| Rivers | Ebro + Jalón, Huerva, Gállego tributaries |
| Climate | Continental; 14-15°C; <400mm in basin |
Key Grapes
Black
Garnacha Tinta Signature; origin here; "Aragonés" (1513)
Tempranillo Widely planted; esp. Cariñena 23%
Cariñena/Mazuelo Only 5% in DO Cariñena!
Cabernet Sauv Merlot Syrah
Moristel Parraleta Native to Somontano
White
Macabeo/Viura Primary across most DOs
Chardonnay Important in Somontano
Gewürztraminer Primary in Somontano
Alcañón Native to Somontano
Garnacha Blanca Moscatel
The 2 VPs
| VP | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Aylés | 2011 | First VP; 1165 history; Cistercians; 100+ yr vines |
| Urbezo | 2024 | Newest; Cariñena municipality; 490m |
The 5 VTs
| Valdejalón | 1999 | Jalón Valley; most historic |
| Bajo Aragón | 1999 | Largest, southernmost |
| Ribera del Jiloca | 2006 | South-central; 600-800m |
| Ribera del Gállego | 2004 | NW; Cinco Villas |
| Valle del Cinca | 2004 | Huesca; most varieties |
History Timeline
~6,500 BCE: Civilization evidence in Chaves Cave (Huesca)
Bronze Age: Iberian tribes cultivating vines
2nd c BCE: Roman conquest; Caesaraugusta (Zaragoza) key center
935: Moorish period; irrigation systems introduced
1194: Alfonso II grants land for Monasterio de Piedra
1195-1218: Cistercian monks build monastery; plant vines at 730m — possibly original Garnacha de Aragón
Golden Age: Fernando II + Isabel I unify; wines to Italy, France
1415: King Fernando I lists Cariñena wines for Nice trip
1773: Voltaire praises Cariñena wines
1887: Railway Zaragoza-Cariñena opens; French demand
1986: EEC entry; modern quality renaissance
1990s: EU subsidies threatened old vines; DOs united to preserve
Soils
| Alluvial | Ebro Basin; deep, fertile |
| Calar | Limestone; mountains, Campo de Borja |
| Clay | Cariñena, valley floors |
| Cascajos | Rocky, limestone-based |
| Royale | Iron-rich, reddish-brown |
Top Exam Points — Memorize These!
Birthplace of GarnachaHighest clonal variations; "Aragonés" 1513 reference
DO Cariñena (1932)Oldest DO; Cariñena grape = only 5%; Garnacha 32%
DO Calatayud = HighestVineyards to 1,040m; Garnacha 62%; Viñas Viejas 35+ yr
DO Somontano = International65% international varieties; 3 native grapes only
Monasterio de Piedra (1194)Cistercians planted at 730m; possibly original Garnacha
VP Aylés (2011)First VP; 1165 history; 100+ year vines
Old Vines PreservedMany 80-100+ years; 1990s EU threat; DOs united
Cierzo = "Moncayo"NW wind; cools vineyards autumn/winter