2019 D.O. Somontano Chardonnay, Aragón, Spain
One of the 17 regions of Spain (span. Aragón) with three provinces in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, which includes the wide valley of the Ebro. It lies between Catalonia (east) and Navarre (west). In the 11th century, after the Moors pushed southwards, an independent kingdom was established here, which in the meantime included the Balearic Islands, Navarra and Sicily, and from the 12th century onwards also Catalonia. It existed up to the end of the 15th century and was then integrated with other areas into the Spanish Empire. Viticulture was already practised here since the 2nd century BC. In the north, on the...
Wine-growing in Spain has an ancient tradition, as vines were already cultivated 3000 years before Christ. The Phoenicians founded the city of Gadir (Cádiz) around 1100 B.C. and carried on lively trade in wine in the Mediterranean. The first flourishing was in 200 B.C., because the Romans loved the wine from Baetica (Andalusia). The development was stopped by the invasion of the Moors in 711. For religious reasons the Muslims cleared large parts of the vineyards or only allowed the production of raisins. They brought with them the art of distillation, but this was not used for alcoholic drinks, but essential oils, as...
The white grape variety originates from France. There are around 120 synonyms, which indicate the vine's great age and worldwide distribution. The most important ones, grouped alphabetically by country, are Clevner, Clävner (Alsace); Arboisier, Arnaison Blanc, Arnoison, Aubain, Aubaine, Auvergnat Blanc, Auvernat Blanc, Auxerrois, Auxois, Beaunois, Blanc de Champagne, Chardonnet, Chaudenay, Chaudenet, Chaudent, Epinette, Epinette Blanc, Epinette de Champagne, Gamay Blanc, Gentil Blanc, Luisant, Melon à Queue Rouge, Melon Blanc, Melon d'Arbois, Melon d'Arlay, Morillon, Morillon Blanc, Noirien Blanc, Pineau Blanc, Pineau Blanc Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc Chardonnay,...
