Priorat

Priorat is a Denominació d'Origen Qualificada (DOQa, or designation of origin of quality) wine region in eastern Spain. The Priorat wine region is located in the province of Tarragona and covers an area of 1,800 hectares. The first evidence of grape-growing in the region is in the 12th century. Today Priorat is home to some of the most rare and sought after wines in the world. Four white varieties are authorised- Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Pedro Ximénez and Chenin, but it is the reds that make the regions world famous-Granacha Tinta, Granacha Peluda, Cariñena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. With its unique terroir of black slate and quartz soils known as licorella, Priorat is one of only two wine regions in Spain to qualify for the DOCa (DOQa in Catalan) designation, the highest qualification for Spanish wine.

• Key Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cariñena, Chenin, Garnacha Blanca, Granacha Peluda, Granacha Tinta, Macabeo, and Merlot.
• Climate: Continental.
• Soil: Hard soil with a thin layer of black slate and quartz (known as llicorella).
• Did You Know: Priorat is one of only two wine regions in Spain to qualify for the DOCa (DOQa in Catalan) designation, the highest qualification for Spanish wine.