Lying just northeast of
Rioja, Navarra used to be planted mostly to Garnacha, but
Tempranillo has made rapid gains here, and there is also considerable
Cabernet Sauvignon and even
Merlot. As is the case in Rioja, Tempranillo dominates in the more Atlantic-influenced north while Garnacha is more important in the south, making warmer, more alcoholic Navarra wines with less aromatic complexity. Navarra is also a source of excellent Navarra rosado wines from its extensive plantings of Garnacha, whose fruity character is perfectly suited to making rose, and the region is arguably the world's second-best source for dry rosé wines behind southern
France.
