Until the 1980s, Navarra was best known for its traditional rosé wines, but it has since emerged as one of Spain's most experienced winemaking areas. It is a complex region, which is emerging from the shadow of its neighbour, Rioja, with no easy-to-define style.
For example, it produces:
- young juicy, fruity reds AND oak-aged, mature wines,
- varietal wines AND blends,
- wines from traditional Spanish grapes like Garnacha and Tempranillo, AND international ones like Cabernet and Chardonnay,
- crisp whites AND strawberryish rosados (the Spanish term for rose).
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Location
The Navarra region extends from the central Pyrenees to the Ebro
Valley, with its vineyards located in the south, between Pamplona
and the plains.
Grapes
- Red: Tempranillo, Graciano and Cabernet
Sauvignon
- White: Viura (Macabeo)
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Navarra primarily produces red wines; the most outstanding among these is Tempranillo, blended with Garnacha and Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Approximately 4% of the wines from this region are white, and traditionally made with the Viura variety. However, Chardonnay based wines are becoming more significant, with their broad richness of flowery and fruity aromas.
Navarra's rosés are fresh and fruity, but robust due to maceration with Garnacha grapes. These rosado wines often improve if left for a year or two after release before drinking.
Finally, thanks to the increased popularity of dessert wines, traditional sweet Moscatel is enjoying a renaissance.
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