Newsletter no. 1 · Wines
D.O. Navarra wines
Five zones, three climates and plenty of garnacha
Navarre has been making wine since Roman times and, centuries later, the Camino de Santiago and the monasteries carried it all over Europe. Today it is one of the most varied wine denominations in Spain.
- of vineyard, approximately
- 10,200 ha
- Baja Montaña, Valdizarbe, Tierra Estella, Ribera Alta and Ribera Baja
- 5 zones
- of production is red wine
- 90 %
- native varieties
- +70 %
One territory, three climates
Within a few kilometres, Navarre goes from the Atlantic influence of the north to the continental climate of the centre and the Mediterranean climate of the Ebro Ribera. This diversity explains why fresh rosés, barrel-aged whites and reds for laying down all come from here.
- Baja Montaña: the northernmost, with a sub-humid climate.
- Valdizarbe: a transition zone, along the Camino de Santiago.
- Tierra Estella: in the west, also on the pilgrim route.
- Ribera Alta: with Olite as the capital of wine.
- Ribera Baja: the largest vineyard area and the most wineries.
The grapes
Among the reds, garnacha and tempranillo rule, joined by cabernet sauvignon, merlot, mazuelo, graciano, syrah and pinot noir. Among the whites, viura, chardonnay, white garnacha, malvasía, sauvignon blanc and small-berry muscat, the base of Navarre's sweet wines, stand out.
From plague to reinvention
At the end of the 19th century phylloxera devastated Navarre's vineyards: of around 50,000 hectares, barely 1,500 were left. Replanting with resistant rootstocks was the starting point of the modern vineyard we know today.
How to read the label
- Joven: fresh and fruity, to drink within the year.
- Roble: a short spell in oak.
- Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva: from less to more time ageing in barrel and bottle.
- Dulce natural: the territory of muscat.
At Estafeta Gourmet
Our selection of Navarrese wines
Origin information based on the official data published by Reyno Gourmet (Government of Navarre).
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