New regulations for D. O. Navarra wines
By 2009-3-22 9:11:25
At the same time that the wine-growing region of Navarra in northern Spain is celebrating its 75th anniversary, the regulatory body of the region has agreed on a new set of regulations. This is intended to improve the quality of the wines, and also to support sales of Navarra wines both in Spain and in export markets.
In addition to rules on vineyard procedures and in the cellar, the maturation of Crianzas, Reservas and Gran Reservas has also been updated. With the introduction of Syrah and Pinot Noir, the number of permitted red varieties in the D.O. Navarra region has climbed to 15. Sauvignon Blanc has been added to the list of permitted white varieties. In addition, the Consejo Regulador has permitted the experimental planting of other grape varieties. Irrigation, too, is clearly defined in the new rules: general irrigation may take place only up to the 8th of August each year, while drip irrigation is permitted at all times. In oder to intensify the control mechanisms, a double tasting as well as chemical analysis after the wines are removed from barriques has been introduced for all Crianzas, Reservas and Gran Reservas eingeführt. In the case of young wines and rosés, this analysis is carried out after 12 months, and after 18 months in the case of white and red wines.
The Garnacha grape has been defined as the preferred grape for the production of rosé wines. Maximum must yields were reduced by 20 per cent, and is now limited to 40 litres per 100 kg of grapes, i.e. almost two kilogrammes of grapes are required to produce a single bottle of rosé wine. Only the saignée method is permitted for the production of grape must for the production of rosé wines. Pressing is specifically prohibited.
There are new rules, too, for the maturation of Crianzas, Reservas and Gran Reservesa: for example, red Crianzas now have to spend only nine of their total of 24 months of maturation in barriques. Semi-Crianzua has been introduced as an official category, this spends only three months in barrique. There are no changes with regard to the maturation of Reservas. There has been a change for the Gran Reservas: of the 60 months of total maturation, the red wines must now spend a minimum of 18 months (previously 24) in barriques. In the case of white wines and rosados, the maximum size of barrel permitted is 500 litres, for red wines the maximum size is 330 litres.
In addition to rules on vineyard procedures and in the cellar, the maturation of Crianzas, Reservas and Gran Reservas has also been updated. With the introduction of Syrah and Pinot Noir, the number of permitted red varieties in the D.O. Navarra region has climbed to 15. Sauvignon Blanc has been added to the list of permitted white varieties. In addition, the Consejo Regulador has permitted the experimental planting of other grape varieties. Irrigation, too, is clearly defined in the new rules: general irrigation may take place only up to the 8th of August each year, while drip irrigation is permitted at all times. In oder to intensify the control mechanisms, a double tasting as well as chemical analysis after the wines are removed from barriques has been introduced for all Crianzas, Reservas and Gran Reservas eingeführt. In the case of young wines and rosés, this analysis is carried out after 12 months, and after 18 months in the case of white and red wines.
The Garnacha grape has been defined as the preferred grape for the production of rosé wines. Maximum must yields were reduced by 20 per cent, and is now limited to 40 litres per 100 kg of grapes, i.e. almost two kilogrammes of grapes are required to produce a single bottle of rosé wine. Only the saignée method is permitted for the production of grape must for the production of rosé wines. Pressing is specifically prohibited.
There are new rules, too, for the maturation of Crianzas, Reservas and Gran Reservesa: for example, red Crianzas now have to spend only nine of their total of 24 months of maturation in barriques. Semi-Crianzua has been introduced as an official category, this spends only three months in barrique. There are no changes with regard to the maturation of Reservas. There has been a change for the Gran Reservas: of the 60 months of total maturation, the red wines must now spend a minimum of 18 months (previously 24) in barriques. In the case of white wines and rosados, the maximum size of barrel permitted is 500 litres, for red wines the maximum size is 330 litres.
From