Priorat wine
Priorat is also known as Priorato, stands as a famous wine region in the Tarragona province, Catalonia, Spain. It brings some of the best Spanish wines.
The quality of winemaking in Priorat is due the dedication of winemakers to produce wines with traditional methods while using innovative new techniques. This commitment ensures that Priorat remains a synonym for quality globally. This region’s unique terroir - the rugged landscape, the terroir of steep and rocky hills, with vineyards containing black slate and quartz soil, are key to achieve this level of quality.
The best wines from Priorat
Priorat is also known as Priorato, stands as a famous wine region in the Tarragona province, Catalonia, Spain. It brings some of the best Spanish wines.
The quality of winemaking in Priorat is due the dedication of winemakers to produce wines with traditional methods while using innovative new techniques. This commitment ensures that Priorat remains a synonym for quality globally. This region’s unique terroir - the rugged landscape, the terroir of steep and rocky hills, with vineyards containing black slate and quartz soil, are key to achieve this level of quality.
The region is divided into twelve official subzones. These subzones are reflected on the labels of top-rated wines and include areas like Vila de Bellmunt, Gratallops, Torroja, and more.
Grapes in wines from Priorat
Other regions
History of Priorat wines
The viticultural roots of Priorat trace back to Roman times, as can be seen by ancient monasteries that dominated the landscape. With the Carthusian Order established the Cartuja (Priory) of Scala Dei in the 12th century, many monasteries flourished, and the Scala Dei Priory played a central role in viticulture. Following various historical challenges, the wine industry experienced a revival in the 1980s when a group of visionary winemakers reinvested in the region's vineyards, recognizing the potential of Priorat's old vines.
The terroir of Priorat wines
The climate in Priorat is continental despite its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, with prolonged hot and arid summers and an average annual rainfall of 500mm, akin to the conditions in dry areas like Montilla-Moriles.
The signature soil type, "llicorella," primarily composed of partially decomposed slate and quartz, is instrumental in imparting distinctive minerality to the wines. Its steep terraced vineyards ("costers"), ensure proper sunlight and water retention and optimal vineyard conditions.
Grape varieties of Priorat wines
Garnacha (Grenache) and Cariñena (Carignan) stand as the primary red varietals, thriving in the region's slate and rocky soils. Other authorized red varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. The whites predominantly comprise Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo, but also Pedro Ximénez and Chenin Blanc grapes are cultivated.
Classifications of Priorat wines
Situated inland from Tarragona, the official viticultural region of Priorat is entirely encircled by Montsant DO. Known interchangeably as Priorato, this area holds a notable status in Catalonia as a Denominació d'Origen Qualificada (DOQ), lauded for its robust red wines that gained international acclaim in the 1990s.
The winemaking regulations specify various aging designations for Priorat wines, including Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. In recent times, the aging designations appear to have shifted, mainly recognizing a wine's guard time and its specifics regarding oak barrels and fermentation processes.