Priorat, Designation of Origin Area: Catalonia Map: Number 10 Situation: The Denominació d Origen Qualificada Priorat is a small mountainous region located in the heart of the province of Tarragona in Catalonia. The massif of the Montsant mountain forms the northern boundary, to the west is the Sierra de la Figuera, to the east Molló and, to the south, the territory opens out and follows the course of the Siurana river downstream towards the Ebro. The Siurana river and its tributaries are the main geographic artery of the area, and have created a series of valleys due also to the geological curves of the ridges and hillsides. In accordance with the laws of Catalonia relative to the regional administrative division, the whole territory of the DOQ Priorat is part of a larger administrative area known as 'Priorat', which also includes a territory that does not form part of the Priorat wine. The Denominació d Origen Priorat has an area of 17.629 hectares, of which 1.887 are planted with vines and cultivated by Page 1
more than 600 growers. As a result of the expansion of the cultivation of the vines and the quality of its wines, promoted, driven and dominated by the Carthusians, the area DOQ Priorat gained world renkown. Talking about the landscape of a place is always a difficult task, given the complexity of factors involved and the varying viewpoints therein. However, the one thing the Priorat has is its uniqueness. No-one strolling through the terrain can help but be aware that he is in a unique landscape, one that has characteristics that make it very different from any other place, even if it has similar mountainous and agronomic features. In the DOQ Priorat, the climate and the sun have together defined a landscape that may not be appealing to some people, but can seduce others. Indifference will never be a feature that defines it. However, like any landscape, the hand of man is present and gives a personal touch. It is the symbol of honest work in a difficult and forbidding field, which transforms the area into a special landscape. In the end, the main feature that defines the landscape of the Priorat DOQ is uniformity; all of the enclosures, hillsides, streams, farms, gardens, paths, stone outhouses or farmhouses, have a characteristic and authentic touch that define the essence of the Priorat. We know that you will find this singular place to be a land of character, tradition and spectacular landscape. It is the territory of slate, which runs from the mountains along gentle ridges to hillsides so steep th at one wonders how it was ever possible to plant vines on them. The DOQ Priorat forms a compact and well-defined landscape unit, formed by the great mountainous amphitheater that stretches out at the foot of the sierra de Montsant, by the slate-bed of its hillsides and by its role in the agricultural sector, which has remained almost intact up to recent times. The tortuous geography of this area means that many vineyards are worked as costers (Catalan word meaning steep slope) which are so steep than in some areas terraces have been built. The resulting landscape, which these vineyards provide us with are one of the defining characteristics of the Priorat, giving it a distinctive personality. A large part of the territory of the DOQ Priorat has countryside protection, either as a special Plan of Natural Interest (PEIN); Natura 2000 network; or as part of the territory included in the Natural Park of Serra de Montsant. Page 2
Our terroir: the "llicorella" This limited terroir, is formed by materials of the Palaeozoic era, mainly Devonian, Carboniferous shale (formed between 416 and 318 million years ago), therefore the oldest that can be found in Catalonia today. The soils are shallow, usually from a single horizon and immediately below (about 10-15 cm) is the bedrock. They have a low organic content matter and are formed mostly by the disintegration of the slate, which is called llicorella, and are laminated and broken rocks of a dark copper colour between which the roots of the vines dig deep in search of moisture, water and nutrients. Vine cultivation is distributed at altitudes ranging from 100 meters above sea level in the lower parts of the districts of Bellmunt del Priorat and el Molar, up to 750 meters in the highlands of La Morera de Montsant and Porrera. The winegrowing is characterised by slopes that have a gradient of more than 15% in most cases although some wine estates reach 60%. Page 3
The tortuous geography of this area means that many vineyards are worked as costers (Catalan word meaning steep slope) which are so steep than in some areas terraces have been built. Some of these terraces are so narrow that there is only space for two rows of vines, meaning that the vineyard cannot be worked with farm machinery. The resulting landscape, which these vineyards provide us with are one of the defining characteristics of the Priorat, giving it a distinctive personality. Born of the soil and the region s specific climate, vines planted here tend to suffer and as a result harvest yields are very low at less than 1 kg per plant on average. This however means that the wines produced in this area have a very unique personality. The harvest period tends to last a long time: it starts around the middle of September in Bellmunt and El Lloar and continues until the end of October or the beginning of November in Porrera and La Morera de Montsant. The long fermentation period of very ripe grapes enables winemakers to obtain a series of very rich components from each grape, facilitating a very comprehensive skin maceration period. The recommended and permitted grape varietals of the DOQ Priorat are the following: Traditional red varietals: Grenache, Carignan. Permitted red varietals: Hairy Grenache, Tempranillo, Piquepoul, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah. White varietals: White Grenache, Macabeu, Pedro Ximénez, Chenin Blanc, Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Xarel lo, Piquepoul. The most planted grape varieties in the Priorat are red ones. Carinyena (Carignan) and Garnatxa (Grenache) are the most important native varieties. Page 4
Village wines (Vi de Vila) The relationship with its land is one of the signs of identity of the Priorat denomination of origin. That is why this body collaborates in all those initiatives that have the promotion of local culture and respect for the territory and the landscape of the Priorat as their objective. The DOQ Priorat is recognized as the first estate wine of the Spanish state and works to consolidate the Vins de Vila, a further step to strengthen the links of their wines with the territory of origin. The project 'Vins de Vila', approved by the Consell Regulador on 11 June 2009, allows the identification of the 12 zones of grape production in the DOQ Priorat in its wines. The new regulations allow producers to specify on the label of the wine to which subzone the grapes used for the elaboration belong to. The first Vi de Vila which was marketed was bottled in the year 2007. At the beginning of 2012, more than twenty brands have already registered, a good example of the commitment to quality and authenticity that the wineries of the DOQ Priorat are ensuring. The labels of the bottles of the DOQ Priorat that come under this regulation may, therefore, indicate the name of the subzone from which the grapes come, followed by the expression 'Vi de la vila'. The Consell Regulador of the DOQ Priorat, apart from ensuring the quality of the wine made in the DOQ Priorat through a series of additional control measures to be carried out in the period of the harvest, with a follow-up of the production process, guarantees that the wines are originals of the subzone. Thus the commitment to the quality of the wines is reinforced, as it adds an additional factor of guarantee in relation to the origin of the production. Sourced from the official website of Priorat Regulatory Board Designation of Origin Page 5
BCNWine in Priorat Designation of Origin Page 6
Rocapoll 2012 Varieties: 100% Carignan Description: Red aged mono-varietal wine Designation of origin: DOQ Priorat + Vi de Vila Aging: 18 months in French oak Elaboration: Entirely artisanal vinification, oak fermentation carried out by the grapes own yeast. Aging in new fine-grained Allier French oak casks. Characteristics: Dark red colour with purple shades. Carignan expresses itself to the uttermost, with a surprising flavour and savour complexity, where mineral, spicy and softly toast notes blend with candied almonds and aromatic herbs evoking the typical ratafia from Olot. In the mouth, the intense beefy taste matches the wine s excellent acidity that makes it fresh and brisk. Intense tannins polished and make up a balanced triangle with the acidity and alcohol, providing the right structure, consistency and easy drinkability. Long aftertaste, aromatic and vigorous. It will refine with the time, so, it can be cellared for over a decade. Recommended food pairing: Perfect for all types of heavy meals, also with wild boar, game, stews, duck, beef, baked fish like turbot. Serving temperature: 18ºC Alcohol: 14,5% vol. 92 points Peñín Guide 2016 Unique wine, 300 bottles per vintage Íl lia 2012 Varieties: 50% Carignan, 40% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Description: Red aged wine Designation of origin: DOQ Priorat + Vi de Vila Aging: 24 months in French oak Elaboration: Grape selection at the vineyard and at de cellar. Separately fermentation per variety in oak casks. 24 months aging in 225 litre French oak barrels. Characteristics: Deep cherry red, brilliant and alluring colour. Black fruit, ripe plum, cherries and a touch of violet candy are present. Balsamic aromas harmonise with fresh timber, delicate shade of toasted tones giving way to mineral aromas. Recommended food pairing: Perfect for all types of meat, game, stews, duck, beef and baked fish. Serving temperature: 18ºC Alcohol: 13,5% vol. 91 points Peñín Guide 2016 Unique wine 1000 bottles per vintage Page 7
Mas de les Valls red 2013 Varieties: 50% Carignan, 45% Grenache, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon Description: Red aged wine Designation of origin: DOQ Priorat Aging: 12 months Elaboration: Grape selection at the vineyard. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with 20-25 days maceration with the skins. 12 months aging in French and American oak casks. Characteristics: Cherry red colour with vivid purplish shades. Flavours of fresh and macerated cherries, black fruit jam, reflections of date fruit, vanilla and mild touches of timber complementing the aromatic blend. Gentle balsamic tones. Balanced acidity with certain fattiness and long aftertaste. Recommended food pairing: Ham, sausages, poultry, all types of meat and paella. Serving temperature: 18ºC Alcohol: 13,5% vol. 89 points Peñín Guide 2016 Cupatge 2014 Varieties: 45% Carignan, 34% Grenache, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 6% Syrah Description: Red wine Designation of origin: DOQ Priorat Aging: kept in stainless steel tank for a minimum of half a year Elaboration: Grape selection at the vineyard. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with 20-25 days maceration with the skins. Aging in stainless steel for 6 months. Characteristics: Deep red cherry coloured, slightly transparent. Expressive Grenache flavours, ripe red fruit, caramelized fig liqueur, hints of roasted nuts and mineral. Fresh in the mouth with an excellent balance and persistence. Memories of ripe fruit and smoky aftertaste, sweet and polished tannins. Recommended food pairing: typical Catalan bread with tomato (pa amb tomàquet), sausages, cheese and tapas. Serving temperature: 14-16ºC Alcohol: 14,5% vol. 89 points Peñín Guide 2016 Page 8
Mas de les Valls White 2013 Varieties: 66% Pedro Ximenez, 34% White Grenache Description: White aged wine Designation of origin: DOQ Priorat + Vi de Vila Aging: 3 months French oak Elaboration: Grapes are selected at the vineyard and in the warehouse. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks under strict controlled temperature. Aging in French oak casks for 3 months. Further aging in bottle. Characteristics: Pale gold, transparent colour. Flavours of typical Priorat undergrowth vegetation (thyme, fennel, laurel) with aromas of baked apple, tropical fruit, aromatic herbs and notes of lime tree blossoms. Warm in the mouth with balanced acidity and good persistence. Discreet smoky and long aftertaste. Recommended food pairing: Perfect for duck confit, cooked codfish, turkey, seafood, ham and paella. Serving temperature: 10ºC Alcohol: 13,5% vol. 89 points Peñín Guide 2016 Unique wine 600 bottles per vintage Page 9