Calatayud (DO)

Calatayud is a roughly 5940 -acre wine region in Spain. It lies at altitudes 550-880 m above sea level. NN. and covers large parts of the Comunidad de Calatayud, a total of 46 municipalities in the Ebro valley and the valleys of its tributaries Jalon, Jiloca Manubles, Mesa, Piedra and Ribota, in the western part of the province of Zaragoza ( Aragon ). The vineyards will be processed by about 2700 growers and there are 9 bodegas. Calatayud received in February 1990 the status of a DO

The export share is 70%. It produces fresh and fruity white wines, rosés strong based on the Garnacha variety and tasteful, warm reds.

The soils are fertile, brownish limestone soils on marl and sandstone base, with good ventilation and drainage. The area Catalayud is the crookedest wine area in the region of Aragon

The climate is predominantly continental, mild, semi- dry to dry, with relevant day-night temperature differences during the ripening period, which promote the slow ripening of the grapes and thus the quality. The annual average temperature is between 12-14 ° C, a frost risk during a 5-6 month winter period. The average annual precipitation is at 300-550 l / m².

The grape varieties grown are:

• White: main varieties are Macabeo (share 25 % of the total area planted with vines ), Malvasia. Are also permitted Moscatel, Garnacha Blanca and Chardonnay.
• Red: main varieties are Garnacha Tinta (share 62 % of the total area planted with vines ), Mazuela and Tempranillo ( 10% share ). Are also permitted Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.