Navarra (DO)
| Wine region | |
Navarra DO in the region of Navarre
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| Official name | D.O. Navarra |
|---|---|
| Type | Denominación de Origen |
| Country | Spain |
| Sub-regions | Valdizarbe, Tierra Estella, Ribera Alta, Ribera Baja and Baja Montaña |
Navarra is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines that extends over practically the entire southern half of the autonomous community of Navarre (Spanish Navarra, Basque Nafarroa). The vineyards are on the lower slopes of the Pyrenees as they descend towards the basin of the river Ebro.
The region used to be renowned only for its rosado wines but in recent years has been producing quality reds and whites as well.
The earliest historical data on grape growing and wine production in Navarra dates from the 2nd century BC, when the ancient Romans built wineries (bodegas). Remains of winery equipment and installations have been found at the archaeological excavations in Arellano (Villa de la Musas), Falces, Lumbier and Muruzábal de Andion (Villa de Andelos).
In the Middle Ages, when Navarre was a powerful independent kingdom with close ties to France, viticulture prospered, partly due to the demand from the pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). In the 12th century, the wine from Navarre was recommended to pilgrims in guidebooks, and was also exported abroad.
Towards the end of the 18th century viticulture was the main agricultural activity of the region. In 1855 there was an outbreak of oidium which affected wine production, three years after a similar outbreak in the Bordeaux (France) region. However, in 1892, the phylloxera plague devastated the vineyards, destroying an estimated 98% of the 50,000 ha of vines planted at that time.
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Wikipedia