Cariñena (DO) facts for kids
| Wine region | |
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| Official name | D.O.P Cariñena |
|---|---|
| Type | Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) |
| Year established | 1932 |
| Country | Spain |
| No. of vineyards | 13,768 hectares (34,021 acres) |
| No. of wineries | 32 |
| Wine produced | 642,055 hectolitres |
| Comments | Data for 2016 / 2017 |
Cariñena is a special area in Spain known for making wines. It has a special title called a Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP). This means its wines are protected and must follow certain rules. The Cariñena DOP was created in 1932, making it one of the oldest protected wine areas in Europe.
The vineyards are located in the middle of Aragon, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Zaragoza. They sit on a flat area called the Campo de Cariñena plateau. Some vineyards are 400 meters (1,300 feet) high, while others go up to 800 meters (2,600 feet) near the Sierra de la Virgen mountains.
In the 1990s, the wine region grew a lot. Many smaller wineries joined together. They also started making wines that people around the world liked more. While they still make strong, traditional wines for local people, they now also make lighter, fruitier wines for export. This has helped them send four times more wine to other countries since 1995.
The Cariñena region is famous as the original home of the Cariñena / Carignan grape. This grape is now grown in many other places like France, Italy, and California. In Spain, this grape is officially called Mazuelo.
Contents
History of Cariñena Wines
The ancient Romans started a city called Carae around 50 BC. Even before that, people in this area were making a drink called mead as early as 300 BC. During the Middle Ages, growing grapes and making wine became very popular. Monasteries helped protect and grow the wine business. By the 1500s, vineyards covered half of the land in the province of Zaragoza.
Climate and Weather
The climate in Cariñena is called "continental." This means it has very hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures can reach 38 °C (100 °F) in summer and drop to -8 °C (18 °F) in winter. A cold wind from the north, called the "cierzo", helps keep the air dry.
Grape growers sometimes face challenges like hailstones, strong winds, and very hot summers that can cause droughts. However, the big difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures is good for the grapes. It helps give Cariñena wines their special strong flavors.
Soil Types
The soil in Cariñena is mostly poor, which is often good for grapevines. It's usually brown or reddish-brown limestone. Underneath, there are gravels from the Sistema Ibérico mountains. Some areas also have brown soils from old river deposits.
Grape Varieties Grown
Many different types of grapes are grown in Cariñena.
- Red Grapes:
* Cabernet Sauvignon * Garnacha Tinta * Juan Ibáñez * Mazuela * Monastrell * Tempranillo * Vidadillo
- White Grapes:
* Chardonnay * Garnacha Blanc * Macabeo (also known as Viura) * Moscatel de Alejandría * Parellada
Most grapevines are grown on special structures called trellises. This helps them grow in neat rows. The grape harvest usually begins in September.
How Wines Are Made
For red wines, winemakers make sure a natural process called malolactic fermentation is finished. This helps make the wine smoother. For young wines, they sometimes use a faster method called carbonic maceration.
Wines that will be aged longer, like Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, are chosen right from the vineyards. For example, Crianza red wines often mix Tempranillo grapes with Garnacha.
White wines are usually made with Viura grapes. Rosé wines use Garnacha and other red and white grapes. Rosés are made to keep their fresh, tangy taste.
Young white and rosé wines from Cariñena are best enjoyed soon after they are made. Red wines, especially those with Garnacha, have a strong flavor because of the hot climate. If they are aged in oak barrels, like Crianzas, they get extra taste and strength from a small amount of Cariñena (Carignan) grapes. Cariñena also makes sweet Moscatel wines, which the region has been famous for a long time.
See also
In Spanish: Cariñena (vino) para niños
