📍 Cariñena

Cariñena is a wine zone in Aragón, in the province of Zaragoza, named after the town of Cariñena. It is among the oldest protected wine areas in Europe: it was created in 1932, alongside other Spanish wine regions. To the west Cariñena borders the Calatayud zone. The zone is part of Aragón.

This is where, it is believed, the red grape Carignan originated. In Spain its official name is Mazuelo. Today less Mazuelo is grown here than Garnacha and Tempranillo, but it remains part of the local story.

For reds the appellation permits Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta, Juan Ibáñez, Mazuela, Monastrell, Tempranillo and Vidadillo. Among whites are Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Muscat of Alexandria and Parellada. Tempranillo is usually blended with Garnacha and made into Crianza.

The climate is dry and continental, with hot summers and cold winters. The wines come out rich and fruity. Carignan has spread far beyond Spain: it is grown in France, Italy, California and other New World countries. In Cariñena itself the rare local red grapes Juan Ibáñez and Vidadillo are also permitted.