Founded in 1932, the Cariñena Designation of Origin (DO) is the oldest in Aragón and one of the first in Spain. Located in the northeast-central part of the country, its winemaking tradition dates back centuries: as early as 1415, the region's wines were included in the list of King Ferdinand I of Aragon's favorite foods. The region's wines are known as "Wines of the Stones" in reference to the stony soils of the vineyards, which, combined with the continental climate of cold winters and hot summers, produce structured white and red wines with concentrated aromas. The strong "cierzo" winds that affect the region help keep the vineyards free of pests and humidity. The Cariñena red grape, also called Samsó or Mazuelo in other parts of Spain, takes its name from this designation. However, the most widely planted grape is Garnacha Tinta, followed by Tempranillo and the white varieties Viura and Garnacha Blanca. Garnacha from Cariñena are known for their medium body and concentrated flavors of red fruit and dried herbs.
Author: Maytte Rivera
