Calatayud (DO) facts for kids
| Wine region | |
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| Official name | D.O.P Calatayud |
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| Type | Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) |
| Year established | 1990 |
| Country | Spain |
| No. of vineyards | 3,200 hectares (7,907 acres) |
| No. of wineries | 15 |
| Wine produced | 100,452 hectolitres |
| Comments | Data for 2016 / 2017 |
Calatayud is a special area in Spain where certain wines are made. It's officially called a "Denominación de Origen Protegida" (DOP), which means "Protected Designation of Origin." This title ensures that wines from Calatayud meet strict quality rules and truly come from this specific region.
This wine region is located in the southwestern part of the Province of Zaragoza in Aragon, Spain. It's about 90 kilometers (around 56 miles) from the city of Zaragoza. The Calatayud DOP covers more than 5,600 hectares (about 13,800 acres) of vineyards. These vineyards spread across 46 different towns, including Calatayud itself.
The area is found in the Ebro River valley. Many smaller rivers, like the Jalón, Jiloca, Manubles, Mesa (river), Piedra, and Ribota, flow through it. The grapevines grow on the sunny, south-facing slopes of the Sierra de la Virgen mountains. They are planted at heights between 550 meters (1,800 feet) and 800 meters (2,600 feet) above sea level.
Contents
What's the Weather Like in Calatayud?
The climate in Calatayud is called "continental." This means it has very hot and dry summers, but also cold winters. The average temperature each year is not higher than 13°C (55°F). There's a good chance of frost for six months of the year, which can be tricky for grapevines. The region usually gets between 300 mm and 500 mm (about 12 to 20 inches) of rain each year.
What are the Soils Like?
Most of the grapevines in Calatayud grow in stony and loose soil. This soil doesn't have many nutrients, but it has a lot of lime. The soil is also very permeable, which means water can easily pass through it. This is good because it allows the roots of the grapevines to reach deep down to find the water and nutrients they need.
What Grapes are Grown Here?
Only certain types of grapes are allowed to be grown for wines from the Calatayud DOP. This helps keep the wines special and true to their origin.
- White Grapes:
- Macabeo
- Malvasía
- Moscatel de Alejandría
- Garnacha Blanca
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Gewürztraminer
See also
In Spanish: Calatayud (vino) para niños
