Aragón

DO region located in the province of Huesca in the autonomous region of Aragon in Spain. The name Somontano translates literally as „below the mountains”, referring to the location of the region in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains close to the border with France. The climate is practically ideal for viticulture, with fairly high rainfall, lots of sunshine during the day, and quite cool nights. This potential was seen by the abbies in medieval times, causing them to establish viticulture here. The vineyard area totals around 2.900 hectares, located on soils of sandstone, clay and some limestone, around the city of Barbastro. The red varieties planted are Garnacha, Viura (Macabeo), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, as well as the indigenous varieties Moristel and Parrelata. The leading white variety planted is Macabeo, followed by the indigenous variety Alcañón, as well as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Gewürztraminer. Traditional Jovenes are produced in red, white and rosé versions from the indigenous varieties, while increasingly wines with potential for maturation are being made from blends of indigenous with French varieties.