How the European PDO and PGI frameworks guarantee the authenticity and evolutionary future of historic Aragonese terroirs.
Across the EU, wine is much more than a commercial product; it is an invaluable cultural legacy closely tied to the land. The strict application of European quality schemes serves as the ultimate safeguard for this heritage.
Specifically, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), which means every part of the production, processing and preparation process must take place in the specific region, with the grapes have to come exclusively from the geographical area where the wine is made; and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), which ensures that at least 85% of the grapes used come exclusively from that area.
These legal frameworks guarantee rigorous traceability, traditional craftsmanship, and true typicity, allowing consumers worldwide to experience authentic regional identities. Spain stands as a prime example of this.
It’s one of the world’s leading countries in terms of variety and quality of wines, due to its wide range of grape varieties, Designations of Origin and terroirs. It’s also one of the most mountainous in Europe, as amongst its valleys lie some of the most breathtaking regions in the world.
Wine here is a way of life. Part of a culture centred on the Mediterranean diet, that makes sharing and socializing around the table with the finest cuisine and wines one of its defining characteristics. And, in the rugged landscapes of Aragon, all of this comes to life in a poker of unique territories that deserve close attention.
PDO Campo de Borja is globally revered as the empire of Garnacha, where ancient, low-yielding bush vines flourish on the slopes of the Moncayo mountain range. The fierce, cold Cierzo wind, combined with iron-rich clay and limestone, soils generates powerful, structured reds and vibrant rosés noted for their dense aromatic complexity and velvety finish.
In PDO Calatayud old-vine Garnacha also thrives, but it does so on steep, slate-rich hillsides at altitudes reaching up to 1,000 meters, all of which gives its wines a distinct personality. The sharp diurnal temperature shifts in this mountainous terrain slow grape ripening, resulting in concentrated, mineral-driven reds that boast refreshing acidity and elegant structure.
Right next door, PDO Cariñena stands proud as one of the oldest protected winemaking areas in Europe, famous for its soils of rounded stones, locally known as ‘cascajos’. This historic region excels at producing robust, deeply complex wines from its namesake grape variety, Cariñena (Carignan), alongside Garnacha of course, characterized by rich dark fruit aromas and smooth, integrated tannins.
Finally, at the foothills of the Pyrenees, PDO Somontano benefits from dramatic alpine temperature shifts and cold mountain rivers. This microclimate yields exceptionally fresh, elegant wines, excelling in both expressive local grapes like Parraleta and international varieties like Chardonnay and Riesling.
Reflecting this rich viticultural mosaic, the “Celebrate the Diversity” campaign—spearheaded by OIVE (the Spanish Wine Interbranch Organization) and Wines of Portugal, co-financed by the European Union—highlights the vital role that PDO and PGI structures play in protecting these historical ecosystems. By upholding these standards, Europe ensures that the unique stories, landscapes, and master techniques behind every bottle remain completely uncompromised.
Discover more at celebratethediversity.eu
