May 18, 2017
Navarra is in northern Spain and
although a prolific, historic region, it's not
well-known. Traditionally it's been associated with making
fruit-driven rosé, but its reds are starting to come on strong and
it's emerging as an excellent, high quality, high value
region.
Fast facts on
Navarra:
- Capital: Pamplona, home of the running of
the bulls (Fiesta de San Fermin)! DO is south of the city
- Vineyards are around the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Ebro
River in Northern Spain
- Navarra is part of the historic Basque country – but the Ebro
River has the most impact on winemaking here (river valleys are
essential to vine growing)
We review the storied history of Navarra:
- From Romans to Moors to Catholics, we discuss the
winemaking legacy
- We talk about the importance of El Camino a Santiago de
Compostela -- a 400 mile walk to visit the remains of St.
James (Santiago) in Galicia on the western coast
- 12th c – wine recommended in a guide book to pilgrims
- Reputation for wine formed through El Camino
- We discuss the French influence from the 14th century through
the 19th c – (1892) when Navarra wines were in high demand
post-phylloxera
- We talk about the modern efforts of the DO, and EVENA, the
Estación de Viticulture y Enología de Navarra (Navarra Viticulture
and Oenological Research Station), in the Ribera Alta sub-region
and how that added legitimacy AND created some issues for
Navarra.
We talk geography and terroir:
- Navarra is large and the climate includes areas with
Atlantic-influenced, continental, and Mediterranean climates
- In the south-east is the Bardenas Reales National Park
- The Pyrenees mountains in the northeast w/other mtns in north,
just below France
- Atlantic is an hour northwest, Ebro Valley in Southern Part
Near Bay of Biscayne in Northwest/Atlantic Ocean
We discuss grapes and wines:
- Navarra was known only for Garnacha-based rosados
- EVENA allowed and encouraged French varieties in the 1980s to
compete with Rioja (add diversity and it's own identity) —
Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon
- 90% red varieties, 10% white grape varieties
- 70% of the grapes are native varietals
- Tempranillo – 33%
- Garnacha – 24%
- Graciano – 1.5%
- Mazuelo/Cariñena .5%
- (WHITE) Viura – 2.25%
- 30% of vineyards are planted to international
varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon – 15%
- Merlot – 14%
- Chardonnay – 5.4%
The Sub regions
Tierra Estella: Northwest,
borders Basque Country and La Rioja. Highest average altitude
and notable Atlantic influence. Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Chardonnay.
Valdizarbe: Northern area with
continental and Atlantic climate. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet
and Merlot all occupy similar surface areas, with Chardonnay and
Malvasía.
Baja Montaña: In the foothills of the
Pyrenees Mountains. Continental climate. Garnacha,
Tempranillo, with little else grown. Known for rosados.
Ribera Alta: Continental climate transitioning from
Atlantic to Mediterranean climate.Cereal plantings here (fertile
soils!). Tempranillo, Graciano, Chardonnay, Moscatel de Grano
Menudo
Ribera Baja: Mediterranean climate.
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura, Moscatel.
Finally we hit on identity issues: Too much
diversity
- We decide that Garnacha expresses place and should be the horse
they bet on in Navarra!
- We mention the DO de Pago producers: Señorio de Arínzano and
Prado Irache in Tierra Estella and Bodegas Otazu in
Valdizarbe.
Go get some Navarra! It
rocks!!