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Navarra is in northern Spain and although a prolific, historic region, it\'s not well-known.\\xa0Traditionally it\'s been associated with making fruit-driven ros\\xe9, but its reds are starting to come on strong and it\'s emerging as an excellent, high quality, high value region.

Fast facts on Navarra:

• Capital: Pamplona, home of the\\xa0running of the bulls (Fiesta de San Fermin)! DO is south of the city
• Vineyards are around the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Ebro River in Northern Spain
• Navarra is part of the historic Basque country \\u2013 but the Ebro River has the most impact on winemaking here (river valleys are essential to vine growing)

We review the storied history of Navarra:

• From Romans to Moors to Catholics, we discuss\\xa0the winemaking legacy
• We talk about the importance of El Camino a Santiago de Compostela -- a 400 mile walk to\\xa0visit the remains of St. James (Santiago) in Galicia on the western coast
  • 12th c \\u2013 wine recommended in a guide book to pilgrims
  • Reputation for wine formed through El Camino
• We discuss the French influence from the 14th century through the\\xa019th c \\u2013 (1892) when Navarra wines were in high demand post-phylloxera
• We talk about the modern efforts of the DO, and EVENA, the Estaci\\xf3n de Viticulture y Enolog\\xeda de Navarra (Navarra Viticulture and Oenological Research Station), in the Ribera Alta sub-region and how that added legitimacy AND created some issues for Navarra.\\xa0

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We talk\\xa0geography and terroir:

• Navarra is large and the climate includes areas with Atlantic-influenced, continental, and Mediterranean climates
• In the south-east is the Bardenas Reales National Park
• The Pyrenees mountains in the northeast w/other mtns in north, just below France
• Atlantic is an hour northwest, Ebro Valley in Southern Part Near Bay of Biscayne in Northwest/Atlantic Ocean

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We discuss grapes and wines:

• Navarra was known only for Garnacha-based rosados
• EVENA allowed and encouraged French varieties in the 1980s to compete with Rioja (add diversity and it\'s own identity) \\u2014 Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon
• 90% red varieties,\\xa010% white grape varieties
• 70% of the grapes are native varietals
  • Tempranillo \\u2013 33%
  • Garnacha \\u2013 24%
  • Graciano \\u2013 1.5%
  • Mazuelo/Cari\\xf1ena .5%
  • (WHITE) Viura \\u2013 2.25%
• 30% of vineyards are planted to international varieties
  • Cabernet Sauvignon \\u2013 15%
  • Merlot \\u2013 14%
  • Chardonnay \\u2013 5.4%

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The Sub regions\\xa0

Tierra Estella:\\xa0Northwest, borders\\xa0Basque Country and La Rioja. Highest average altitude and notable Atlantic influence. Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay.

Valdizarbe:\\xa0\\xa0Northern area with continental and Atlantic climate. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet and Merlot all occupy similar surface areas, with Chardonnay and Malvas\\xeda.

Baja Monta\\xf1a:\\xa0In\\xa0the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains. Continental\\xa0climate.\\xa0Garnacha, Tempranillo, with little else grown. Known for rosados.

Ribera Alta:\\xa0Continental climate transitioning from Atlantic to Mediterranean climate.Cereal plantings here (fertile soils!).\\xa0Tempranillo, Graciano, Chardonnay, Moscatel de Grano Menudo

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Ribera Baja: Mediterranean climate. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura, Moscatel.\\xa0

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Finally we hit on identity issues: Too much diversity

• We decide that Garnacha expresses place and should be the horse they bet on in Navarra!
• We mention the DO de Pago producers: Se\\xf1orio de Ar\\xednzano and Prado Irache in Tierra Estella and Bodegas Otazu in Valdizarbe.

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Go get some Navarra! It rocks!!\\xa0

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