DO Somontano D.O. wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

Denominacion de Origen

Somontano D.O. lies in the province of Huesca, in Aragon, at the foot of the Pyrenees, across forty-three municipalities on either side of the Alcanadre river, which separates Somontano de Huesca to the west from Somontano de Barbastro to the east. The vineyards are planted between 350 and 1,000 metres above sea level, on brown calcisol and gypsisol soils with a loamy to clay-sandy texture, an alkaline pH and a high active limestone content. The climate is Mediterranean continental, more humid and cool to the north, more arid and warm to the south and east, marked by a strong day-night temperature swing in late summer and high sunshine hours. Eight red grape varieties are authorised — cabernet sauvignon, grenache noir, merlot, moristel, parraleta, pinot noir, syrah and tempranillo — alongside seven white varieties: alcañón, chardonnay, grenache blanc, gewurztraminer, macabeo, riesling and sauvignon blanc. Moristel, parraleta and alcañón, native to the area, set Somontano apart from other Aragonese appellations.

The wines of this appellation

Somontano D.O. produces white, rosé and red wines, along with oak-aged reds, sweet wines and quality sparkling wines. The whites, straw yellow to golden, show fruity and floral aromas of medium to high intensity, with balanced acidity and good length. The rosés, violet-pink to strawberry-pink, share this fruity, lively profile. Young reds, violet-red to cherry-red, display fresh, fruity aromas over a balanced acid frame. Aged under the Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva designations, the longer-lived reds gain deeper colour, aromatic complexity — smoky, toasted, spiced notes — and rounder tannins, with a long finish. A pronounced alcoholic character, bright acidity and deep colour run through the whole range. Young whites and rosés pair with fish, seafood and Mediterranean dishes; young reds suit grilled meats, while aged wines match braised red meats, game and mature cheeses.