Cariñena

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The zone lies south of the Ebro river, in the district known as Campo de Cariñena, which borders the Sierra Virgen to the south and the Calatayud wine region to the west. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The terrain begins at 400 metres above sea level and rises toward the south, reaching altitudes of 800 metres. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The geographical zone is characterised by low rainfall, extreme temperatures, and the presence of the cierzo wind — conditions that, together with the characteristics of its varied soils, create a selective ecosystem for vine cultivation.
• The soils are rich in limestone, which, combined with the extreme temperatures, allows the cultivation of varieties that impart breadth and balance to the wines.
• The zone displays a continental climate with marked temperature contrasts and a low risk of rainfall during the grape-ripening period.

• In the Roman settlement of Carae, today's Cariñena, its inhabitants were drinking wine mixed with honey as early as the third century BC.
• In 1696, vineyard plantings were restricted according to quality criteria, coinciding with the municipalities that today make up this protected designation of origin.
• The traditional method for producing quality sparkling wine has been practised in the cellars of the zone since the early twentieth century.

• The wines are aromatically intense, clean and fresh, well-balanced, with good structure and a broad finish.
• Light-spritz wines (vinos de aguja) display a natural alcoholic strength, a light acidity, and an intense fruitiness on the nose.

• The practice of delaying harvest to obtain grapes with higher sugar content gives late-harvest, overripe-grape wines their characteristic ripe-fruit aromas and a dominant sweetness on the palate.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (pliego de condiciones).

All appellations in Spain

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-A0043
• Official trade body site — D.O.P. Cariñena