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Catalunya - DOQ Priorat - The Growing Environment and Grape Growing

Q: Priorat has specific soils, which are these and what are they called?

Varied, poor, volcanic and stony with some clay Llicorella is a specific subsoil; a reddish slate subsoil containing particles of mica (quartzite) that sparkle in the sun and reflect the heat – the alternate layers of slate and quartzite present a black and gold “tigerskin” effect in bright sunlight. This subsoil is known locally as Llicorella . The topsoil consists of decayed slate and mica and is only 50 cm deep.

4 important questions on Catalunya - DOQ Priorat - The Growing Environment and Grape Growing

Priorat vineyards are challenging, why?

Lack of easy access
Challenging topography (100-700m)
extreme weather
Yields very small
Competition for labour by textile industry

What are the reasons of the success of Priorat as the regions best wines? It became a DOQ in 2009.

The producer René Barbier spotted its potential and his faith in it was rewarded.
Modern Spanish winemaking with old vines
Traditional red wines made of 100% Garnacha Tinta
It is the wines from the Gratallops wineries that have grown up over the past 10 years or so that really show what can be achieved – these are some of Spain’s most exciting and most expensive wines.

What is the climate and growing environment of Priorat?

Warm continental, protected by mountains, high diurnal range. Irrigation permitted.
Very steep slopes! (Costers): 5-60% - hand work, expensive
Narrow terraces
1700ha incl. Garnacha (900), Carinena (300ha). Whites; 500Ha (garnacha, viuda, px)

Priorat has specific soils, which are these and what are they called?

Varied, poor, volcanic and stony with some clay
Llicorella is a specific subsoil; a reddish slate subsoil containing particles of mica (quartzite) that sparkle in the sun and reflect the heat – the alternate layers of slate and quartzite present a black and gold “tigerskin” effect in bright sunlight. This subsoil is known locally as Llicorella. The topsoil consists of decayed slate and mica and is only 50 cm deep.