Priorato DOCa(DOQ)

Question 1

Priorato DOCa location

Answer 1

• (Denominació d’Origen Qualificada (DOQ) in catalan)

- Northeaster Spain, in the southwest of Catalonia

Question 2

Priorat derives its name from

Answer 2

Priorato de Scala Dei, a Carthusian monastery (priory) founded on the site of a boy’s vision of angels ascending to heaven

Question 3

Priorato DOCa basics

Answer 3

• The second region in Spain to be promoted to DOCa
• some of Spain’s richest, most concentrated red wines
• most $$$
• terraces on 30% slopes, vineyards in mnts
• mechanization imposible

Question 4

Priorato DOCa climate

Answer 4

• Generally, the climate is more extreme than most continental climate areas
• though there is a marked contrast between the valleys and the higher areas.
• There are both freezing winds from the north (mitigated somewhat by the Montsant mountain) and also the warm Mistral wind from the east.
• Summers are long, hot and dry while winters are cold

Question 5

Priorato DOCa soils

Answer 5

-Llicorella, a mix of black slate and quartzite, characterizes the best vineyards, requiring vines to dig deeply for water

Question 6

René Barbier

Answer 6

In 1979 Barbier, a winemaker for Alvaro Palacios, planted a mix of local and French vines in the llicorella soils of Gratallops, and convinced Palacios and several others to join him.

Question 7

The five original “Clos” wines of Priorat

Answer 7

commonly acknowledged as Barbier’s Clos Mogador, Palacios’ Clos Dofi, Clos Erasmus, Clos de l’Obac, and Clos Martinet

Question 8

The traditional varietals of Priorat

Answer 8

Garnacha and Cariñena

Question 9

Priorato DOCa Aging Requirements: Crianza

Answer 9

• Blanco/Rosado: min. 18 months, including at least 6 months in oak
• Tinto: min. 24 months, including at least 6 months in oak

Question 10

Priorato DOCa Aging Requirements: Reserva

Answer 10

• Blanco/Rosado: min. 24 months, including at least 6 months in oak
• Tinto: min. 3 years, including at least 1 year in oak

Question 11

Priorato DOCa Aging Requirements: Gran Reserva

Answer 11

• Blanco/Rosado: min. 4 years, including at least 6 months in oak
• Tinto: min. 24 months in oak and 36 months in bottle

Question 12

Priorato DOCa Aging Requirements: Vino de Guarda

Answer 12

min. 12 months in oak (Tinto only)

Question 13

Priorato DOCa Authorized Grapes

Answer 13

Blanco:
Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Pedro Ximénez, Chenin, Moscatel de Alejandria, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Pansal (Xarel-lo), Picapoll Blanco
Tinto:
Recommended: Garnacha Tinta, Samsó (Mazuela)
Authorized: Garnacha Peluda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Picapoll Negro
“Vi de la Vila” wines must include a min. 60% recommended varieties, or a min. 50% recommended varieties if only one is present

Question 14

Vino de Pueblo

Answer 14

In 2009 Priorat established a village category (Vino de Pueblo) for estate-grown wines from twelve villages, including Gratallops.