Cariñena Wine Region

The Cariñena wine region is located in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain, in the province of Zaragoza and is bordered by Teruel. It has a long history, with its first vines planted during the Roman era. The region’s wines are known for their intense colour, high alcohol content and full-bodied, fruity flavour. Cariñena is a name of the grape variety in Spanish, also known as Carignan in other countries of the world, and the name of this wine region originates due to its great abundance there. It is a region with a great diversity of soils and microclimates, which are reflected in the different types of grapes that grow here, and, therefore, in the various tastes of wines.

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Where is the Cariñena wine region located?

Situated in the area between Barcelona and Madrid, the heart of Spain, the Cariñena wine region is in the Ebro valley, the community of Aragon, belonging to the province of Zaragoza. It is bordered by the Calatayud wine appellation from the west and is surrounded by Sierra de la Virgen mountains. This place is supposed to be the birthplace of the Garnacha grape. Generally, it stretches around 14000 hectares and has a maximum annual crop of 18000 kilograms per hectare. Other neighbouring wine regions worth mentioning are Somontano and Campo de Borja.

History of the Cariñena wine region

The Cariñena wine region is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Europe, with evidence that viticulture has been practised here for more than 2000 years. The history of Cariñena wine dates back to the Phoenicians and Romans. The Phoenicians were the first to cultivate vines in this region, while the Romans planted more vineyards and introduced new grape varieties. Cariñena wine was a favourite of King Ferdinand I, who had a great interest in viticulture; also, prominent philosophers like Voltaire admired its taste, and it was the birthplace of the all-time famous Spanish painter Francisco de Goya. Cariñena wine has been an economic bulwark of the region, with its vineyards occupying 50% of Zaragoza territory by the 16th century, once again underlining the winemaking volume. It's also home to some of Spain's finest wines, including Cencibel de Éntrida and Agustín Albariño. The region was granted appellation status in 1932 and became an authorized DO (Denominación de Origen). Today, Cariñena is one of Spain’s top wine regions, with a strong focus on quality wine production and new wine flavours emerging over time. 

Cariñena wine region Terroir

The vineyards of the Cariñena wine region are located on the foothills of the Pyrenees, at altitudes between 400 and 800 meters. The soil is rocky, which is probably why it is also known as el vino de las Piedras, meaning the wine of pebbles. Consisting mainly of limestone, clay, and some alluvial, the soil here has a high level of water retention, giving some wine mineral notes of slate and graphite. The climate of the Cariñena wine region is another important factor in determining the quality and taste of wine. The area has a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers; however, the cold wind Cierzo from the north moderates summer heat and maintains low humidity. The temperature in the area ranges from -2 °C to 40 °C, which is pretty extreme and therefore creates variations in the types of wines too. This changing of the temperatures, including the diurnal temperature variation, impacts the grape characteristics and their taste intensity. It turns out that the conditions today in the Cariñena wine region are most propitious for Grenache grapes, which coincides with the market demand. 

Cariñena wine characteristics

Cariñena wine region had changed its wine-producing strategy, switching from a bulk producer to a primer quality wine manufacturer. Along with the high quality of wine, it offers many different styles, including red and white wines, fruity rosés, dessert wines and even Cava, Spanish-style sparkling wine. Therefore, there is an eligible wine for any taste. The region has numerous authorized grape varieties, but about 35% of the wine is produced from Garnacha. 

Cariñena red wines

Grape varieties for red wine production are, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha tinta, Juan Ibáñez, Cariñena/Mazuela, Merlot, Monastrell, Syrah, Tempranillo and Vidadillo. Sometimes blending is an option, too, for example, a blend of Tempranillo with Garnacha to get Crianza. The Cariñena red wines are usually oak-aged, with medium acidity and have a flavour of red fruits, like raspberries, cranberries and black current, or spicy, earthy, mineral notes. 

Cariñena white wines

White wines, are produced from Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo/Viura, Moscatel de Alejandría and Parellada. They are typically dry, from medium to full-bodied, with flavours of fruit like plums and mandarin, licorice and peppers. Both rosé and white wine are the best for consumption within a year.

Food to pair with Cariñena wine

Albóndigas de bacalao

Albóndigas de bacalao is a Spanish variant of fish meatballs, very common in the region of Aragon. This dish is cooked with code fish, eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Served in its juicy sauce, it is excellent to pair with Cariñena wine; it best matches with Anayón Parcela 15 Cariñena. 

Pork Migas

Migas are breadcrumbs, and this dish is made from pork ham cubes, chorizo, breadcrumbs, onions, garlic, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper. This Spanish-style stir-fry is a perfect accompaniment to Cariñena red wine.

Vegetarian Aragonese Ratatouille

This vegetarian dish is made like classic Ratatouille but with Aragonese accents. Consisting of a variety of bell peppers, courgettes, potatoes, aubergines, and onions, sprinkled with chilli flakes, this delicious stew perfectly matches Cariñena rosé wine. 

Places to visit in the Cariñena wine region

Centro de Interpretación del Ferrocarril de la Comarca Campo de Cariñena

For more than 25 years, this specialty museum has devoted itself to the investigation, recovery, and conservation of a large part of the documentary heritage related to the history of the railway in the Campo Comarca of Cariñera. The restoration of various historical-railway materials has also complimented all this work, one of its most outstanding achievements being the recovery is a foudre wagon, a true symbol of the transport of Cariñena wine for several decades, having been a source of pride for the Association. Therefore, it is an excellent opportunity to visit this historical museum, which has a special meaning to the region. 

Parroquia La Asunción de Nuestra Señora

This attractive construction was built between 1694 and 1734, by Miguel de Velasco and Juan Yarza, on the remains of the old collegiate church granted by King Jaime I… This stunning chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, whose sculpture, made by Gregorio Messa in the mid-17th century, occupies the central part of the baldachin. The Levantine Gothic-style bell tower is attached to the church, consisting of three naves, a transept, a large presbytery, and small side chapels. It is 38 meters high, and its construction dates back to 1375; it belonged to the previous church. Thus, this place is an absolute must-see, consisting of several historical monuments, like a chapel, tower, and sculpture. 

The House of Goya’s Birth and the Museum of Etchings

Located a few kilometres from the Cariñena wine region, Fundación de Goya is in Fuendetodos, where this noteworthy painter was born and raised. It is a typical, modest farmhouse of the 18th century, indicating that the artist came from the average Spanish family, but his talent prevailed and brought him fame worldwide. A museum in the same area is where permanent exhibitions of the painter’s work are presented. There you will find “Los Desastres”, “Los Caprichos”, “Los Disparates” and “La Tauromaquia”.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Cariñena wine region