The wine choice for the December edition of the Seaside Gazette is Anayón Cariñena, Grandes Vinos, D.O.P. Cariñena

There are so many delicious wines in Spain. In this column, the Bruja chooses wines from lesser known regions, styles or grapes with the aim of broadening the palette expanding and sharing the unique flavours and cultural stories. Here is wine that we did not expect.

Cariñena DOP wine region is located in the northeastern part of Spain, specifically in the province of Zaragoza, within the autonomous community of Aragón.

This region has continental climate with significant temperature variations between day and night, which helps enhance grape ripening. The landscape of the region is of gentle rolling hills, a mix of vineyards and olive groves, and a backdrop of rugged mountains.

The semi-arid climate combined with the mixed rocky/clay soils contribute to the distinctiveness of the wines produced here. The scenery is picturesque, with vineyards often planted on slopes that benefit from good sunlight exposure and cool nighttime temperatures, essential for grape ripening.

Cariñena is a DOP region. We are familiar with the D.O. (Denominación de Origen), the Spanish regulatory boards that focus on regional practices for grape varieties, yields, and winemaking techniques. DOP (Denominación de Origen Protegida), broader EU guidelines, with strict traceability and protection criteria to guarantee regional authenticity within Europe.

Despite these slight regulatory distinctions, in practice, DO and DOP often apply similar quality rules and protections. The region is known for top quality Garnacha (Grenache) wines with high acidity, deep color, and robust tannins.

Cariñena (or Carignan) is also a grape, that historically originated in this region, though today it is not the dominant grape, and the variety is more often associated with French wines. At some point in the 1980s it was France’s most widely planted grape variety.

The grape is late-ripening and thrives in hot, dry climates, and well-suited to poor soils with good drainage, and its thick-skinned berries are resistant to pests and diseases. However, the grape requires careful wine making management as it can otherwise produce wines with harsh tannins and high acidity. The most highly regarded Spanish Cariñena wines  come from old vines grown on poor slate soils in the Priorat region in Catalonia, Spain. Also from the Maule valley in Chile.

Anayón Cariñena is a premium multi-award winning wine with limited production (usually fewer than 6000 bottles that come individually numbered). We had the 2015 vintage, thanks to the grape’s aging potential. The wine is made from old vines (60+ years) grown on very gravely soil, and aged for 10 months in French oak barrels.

The wine is an excellent ambassador for this tricky grape: A brilliant ruby-red wine with intense, sweet aromas of cherries, raspberry jam, and hints of chocolate. On the palate, it is smooth and well-rounded, bursting with ripe fruit flavours of cherries and red apples. Subtle nuances from oak aging, such as licorice and a touch of smokiness, add depth. The finish is long and pleasantly satisfying. 

Open an hour before serving at 16ºC.  While it is delicious on its own, this wine will thrive accompanied with strong flavours: pasta with truffles, game, mature cheeses….

92 Bruja points, 15.95EUR from https://alacenadearagon.es/

(Wine Feature: December)

Keywords: Cariñena, Anayon, Zaragoza, Denominación de Origen, Palate, Vintage

Reader’s comment: My complements to your reporter on his wine tasting notes and recommendations.
I have been in touch with the wine makers and winery for Anayon and expressed my wonderful experience with the wine that they produced and I’m looking forward to trying their complete line of wines.
Thank you again and look forward to following up on more of your recommendations as well as any older articles you may wish to send my way. I’m trying to understand the best areas of wines from these small wineries who I find are free to produce the best wines because they focus on quality over mass production.
Thanks again for your excellent palate! – Tomm