[AH-rah-goan] Aragon, one of Spain's seventeen autonomous regions, is located in the northeast section of the country. Much of this area is subject to intense heat, which tends to push the grapes to an overripe stage, resulting in high-alcohol wines. Garnacha (grenache) is the dominant red grape here; macabeo the primary white variety. Although mediocre, high-alcohol (many reaching 18 percent) wines prevail in Aragon, there are signs that a movement to better wines is underway. Four dos-campo de borja, cariñena, calatayud and somontano-are using more modern winemaking methods to produce higher-quality wines. Of these, Somontano, located in the cooler foothills of the Pyrenees, shows the most promise.

Wine Lover's Companion. Copyright © 2003 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.