Priorat in Catalonia is a worldwide famous wine region and a standout in Spain thanks to its high-quality red wines.
In the north east of Spain, Priorat is a small wine-growing area inside the vast region of Catalonia. With its 1800 hectares of vines, Priorat is the smallest DO (Denominación de Origen) of the autonomous community. She gained fame in Spain because she is one of the three viticultural areas to be labelled DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada) with Cava and Rioja. The label shows the region's capability to have a steady production of high-quality wines for more than a decade.
History of winemaking in Priorat
During the 1980's, a pioneer group of winemakers had pulled the region away from its ruin. Priorat was neglected because of the ravage of phylloxera and the violent period of the Spanish Civil War. This extraordinary region has quickly emerged from oblivion to produce high-class wines among the most expansive in the world. It is one of the only wine areas with Châteauneuf-du-Pape to make great wines using Grenache.
The vineyards are elevated with altitudes between 100 and 700 meters, the highest are terraced vineyards on steep slopes. Priorat is one of the warmest and driest Spanish areas despite its proximity with the Mediterranean Sea. The appellation has a continental climate with long sunny summers and rare rainfalls. The rocky drained and nutrient-poor soils consist of slate and quartz, which give a certain minerality to the wines. Only the vineyards around the city of Gratallops have a schist soil. This city is Priorat's center of technological advances for the wine industry.
The extremely low yields of the vineyards are caused by the combination of dry poor lands, a very hot climate and the old vines.
Grape Varieties in Priorat
Priorat wine is made of Grenache (Garnacha) and Carignan (Cariñena) from low yields of ancient vines. It is a strong highly concentrated red wine with a dark color. The modern method of the pioneer winemakers produce a more fruity and woody drink with strong flavors of blackcurrant and licorice. The producers using the traditional method make alcoholic dark wines to drink a few decades late. The Priorat wine reveal with age intense fig and tar notes. The wines are known for their great ageing potential. The legend says that the Cartoixa Scala Dei Negre wine could age in the bottle during 50 years.
The international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot are beginning to be planted in Priorat's vineyards.
Best producers in Priorat
Alvaro Palacios, Miguel Torres, Clos Mogador and Mas Martinet are among the great producers in Priorat.
