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The Carthusian monks began growing grapevines in this interior region of the province of Tarragona in 1262.
Since then, despite the somewhat infertile land, great contrasts in temperature, and an extremely dry climate, wine of remarkable quality is produced in this region. The Designation of Origin groups together the districts of Bellmunt del Priorat, Gratallops, el Lloar, la Morera de Montsant, Poboleda, Porrera, Torroja del Priorat, la Vilella Alta, la Vilella Baixa and part of Falset and el Molar. As far back as 1932, Priorat was recognised as a protected wine-producing area, and in 1954 the first regulation for the Designation of Origin was approved. Today, it is recognised as a Qualified Designation of Origin due to the quality of its wines. Its wines are characterised by the fact that they come from a wine harvest with an extremely low yield. This is due to the licorella in the soil, a rough grey rock which is typical in this region and is similar to slate. Here they make mainly red winesfrom the cariñena and garnacha varieties. They are dense, strong, bright and persistent. The white wines are made with white garnacha and Pedro Ximénez, and are ripe and penetrating. They also produce rosés, mature wines and dessert wines. In general, Priorat wines undergo a long fermentation process. Wines aged in oak are particularly highly-prized. The best way to learn more about them is to visit the wineries where they are produced. There are 28 wineries open to visitors in this Designation of Origin, each offering a different wine experiences. The Buil & Giné vineyard in Gratallops, for example, offers visit to the vineyards on a segway, which is a 2-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle. The Burgos-Porta vineyard makes organic wine in the Mas Sinén, a 12th-century stone farmhouse. Cal Pla, in Porrera, a family-run vineyard with over two-hundred years of history, has a series of old inscriptions referring tocuriosities relating to the wine industry. The Els Cups vineyard dates back to 1800, and includes an exhibition of antique tools used for making wine. It also produces a mature wine, the oldest bottle of which is over ninety years old. The Joan Simó vineyard is located in a country house with a typical old old sundial from the town of Porrera on its façade, dating from 1887. The Masia Duch vineyard is set in a 12th- century building on an estate, El Tancat, belonging to the Carthusian monastery of Scala Dei. Ageing :Wines undergoing ageing shall conform to the following rules: vintage red wines, at least two years, one of which in oak container; rancio wines, at least four years in oak container. |
