Selección Club Vinissimus Junio 2022

Navarre, much more than rosés

Navarre is known for the San Fermin festival and wonderful gastronomy. Lamb, sheep cheese like the traditional Idiazábal, beans, asparagus, chorizo sausage and artichokes are just a few of the many delicacies from the region to try as well as, of course, its wines.

Between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries, the area already had a prestigious reputation for wines. They stood shoulder to shoulder beside Rioja wines and were enjoyed as far afield as in Normandy. Following the discovery of the New World, Navarre wines travelled to America where their rosés enjoyed special success. Unfortunately, a few centuries later the phylloxera plague wreaked havoc among the region's vineyards, a disaster which would take winegrowers years of hard work to recover from.

Although they currently only make up 21% of the region's wine production, rosés have maintained their position as a favourite wine for many wine-lovers. Representing 64% of total wine production, red wine has now become the most-produced style of wine in the area.

Regarding grape varieties, Tempranillo has ousted the traditional Grenache from top place. Third place would be a close call between two other grapes which are well-suited to the region's characteristics, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The leading grape for white wines is Chardonnay, doubling in production others such as Viura (Macabeo), and the ingredient behind some wonderful, both young and barrel-aged, wines.

In today's selection we aim to show you examples of the different styles of wines created in the appellation beyond the wonderful and already well-known Grenache rosés. We offer a great Chardonnay white, a young wine brimming with character; a refreshing and personal mountain Grenache red wine; and a Reserva made with the two great Bordeaux varieties: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.