Garnacha took center stage, but it was not alone. At a tasting held in Madrid, six wineries from the Aragón Wine of the Land Association showcased the diversity of their wines and introduced two varieties rarely found outside their home regions: ribote and derechero.
The event brought together sommeliers, industry influencers and media representatives at Kentya restaurant on Lagasca Street. The tasting was led by Pilar Cavero, named Spain’s Best Sommelier in 2013, and included the association’s president, Álex Ascaso, owner of Edra Bodega. The wines came from three of the organization’s five Protected Geographical Indications (PGIs): Bajo Aragón, Ribera del Gállego-Cinco Villas and Valle del Cinca.
The Madrid event followed the fifth Aragón Wine of the Land Showcase, held days earlier in Zaragoza. Created in 2022 to bring these wineries closer to industry professionals, the latest edition was organized with the collaboration of the Teruel Ham PDO and the Bajo Aragón Olive Oil PDO, as well as a table dedicated to the aromas of garnacha.
Six wines, three territories
The selection offered a journey through different parts of Aragón’s wine country. From the Bajo Aragón PGI came Garnacha Lagar, an organic red garnacha from Amprius Vinos; Derechero de Muniesa, from Bodegas Tempore, made from the variety named after this town in Teruel province; and Pedra Seca Blanco, the white garnacha produced by Bodegas Pedra Volta in Nonaspe.
From Valle del Cinca, Finca Valonga presented Entre Higueras, a red garnacha from Belver de Cinca. The Ribera del Gállego-Cinco Villas PGI was represented by UN Garnacha Roble, from Bodegas Ejeanas in Ejea de los Caballeros, and by Emociones, from Edra Bodega in Ayerbe, a wine combining garnacha, syrah and ribote.
Ribote and derechero provided the lesser-known counterpoint to a tasting dominated by garnacha. Their presence made it possible to discuss not only the wines these wineries produce today, but also the varieties that form part of their regions’ wine-growing heritage.
After the tasting, Aragón products were served: Barbastro pink tomatoes, Aragón blood sausage, Graus sausage, Letux cheeses, Teruel Ham PDO croquettes and Teruel Ham PDO. The venue was no coincidence either. Kentya is run by owners from Zaragoza and features wines and products from Aragón on its menu.
A vineyard spanning 192 municipalities
The Aragón Wine of the Land Association was established in 2002 to raise the profile of small wineries in areas with a winemaking tradition. It now brings together 11 wineries across five PGIs: Bajo Aragón, Ribera del Gállego-Cinco Villas, Ribera del Jiloca, Valdejalón and Valle del Cinca. Together, they cover 192 municipalities across Aragón.
The five designations account for 1,081 hectares of vineyards, including 520 hectares of garnacha, and encompass 24 wineries, 11 of which belong to the association. According to figures provided by the organization, the group is linked to more than 250 winegrowers in small municipalities and generates economic value exceeding €6 million.
With its presentation in Madrid, the association brought more than six labels before a professional audience. It highlighted the work of wineries spread across Aragón and a vineyard landscape where, alongside garnacha, varieties with far less visibility continue to survive.
