Somontano

Somontano is an appellation located at the foot of the Pyrenees, on the Spanish side, in the Huesca region. The production area is divided into three distinct zones: the mountains, the Somontano itself and the plains. Somontano was awarded the Denominación de Origen (DO) in 1984.

As with many Spanish appellations, the spread of phylloxera in France led to a rapid expansion of wine-growing areas in the 19th century, with a corresponding increase in export demand. In the 20th century, this expansion was boosted by the creation of the Somontano Sobarbe regional cooperative and the major business projects of the 1990s.

The Somontano climate is characterized by very cold winters and hot summers, with sudden temperature changes in late spring and autumn. Somontano's white, red and rosé wines are made from some fifteen grape varieties, some foreign and some local, such as Moristel, Tempranillo and Parreleta. The Somontano vineyards cover 4,400 hectares within the appellation zone.

The variety and quality of Somontano wines are particularly well represented by Bodegas Osca, Pirineos, Enate and Irius.