Carinena is oneof the oldest DO regions in Spain. The DO regions were established in 1932. The ancient Romans founded Carae in 50 B.C., where the locals were originally producing mead since the 3rd century. The climate of the region is very extreme. Extreme summer heat and cold hail storms cause many problems for grape growers. The northerly winds benefit the crop by keeping the humidity low.
It is said that the varietal Carignan originated from this region and is used mostly in blended wines. The Carignan varietal has been known to produce high yields even with the high sensitivity to mildew and rot. Difficult to harvest, these grapes are often used to add deep coloring to a blend. A majority of the vineyards are relatively high in altitude and scattered along the plains of the Ebo River. Due to changes in the market, Carinena rearranged their wine production by experimenting with international varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Full bodied with good acidity, these grapes are great for Cuvees. They age well and develop complexity and harmony over time.
During the middle ages Monks picked up Carinena’s winemaking techniques and expanded the area for cultivation. Carinena’s wines are known for their quality throughout Spain. In September there is a festival where the town’s central fountain dispensed wine instead of water which originated from the 1585 visit of King Philip the 2nd.
Carinena lies about 30 miles southwest of Zaragosa and the soil conditions vary. The region is located in the province of Zaragoza and covers an area of 16,600 hectares. The region produces 72.6 million liters of wine annually. Carinena, the grape, is not the dominant varietal of the region and comes in second to Garnacha. This region was one of the most popular of the Aragon DO zones.