Spanish Wine Map of the Priorat3/14/2024 When asked why old vines are so special, Kubach, managing director of Península Viticultores, which makes wines from 50 year-old+ vines across Rioja Alavesa, and Garnacha vines of 30-100 years of age in Gredos, explains, “Aside from their adaptation to the terroir, their improved balance, old vines offer a wealth of genetic material as they were propagated through massal selection prior to the widespread use of more productive clones at the end of the 1980s. What is certain is that there are vast areas of old vines in Spain – Andreas Kubach MW speaks of 6,000ha of old vines in the Rioja Alavesa alone – and that they are associated with high quality, distinctive wines. It depends of course, on when you consider a vine to be “old” – at 35 years, the minimum age stipulated by the DO Ribera del Duero for “old vines” to appear on the label - or the requirement of having been planted prior to 1945 imposed by the DOCa Priorat. With its rich history, breathtaking landscapes and beautiful wines, Priorat has become a destination for wine lovers and tourists looking for a unique and authentic wine experience.It is hard to put an exact figure on the number of old vines there are in Spain. They are constantly looking for ways to improve the quality of the wines and capture the unique expression of the terroir. Priorat winemakers remain true to the area's traditions and heritage, while also embracing innovative approaches and sustainable practices. This contributes to the exclusivity and price of Priorat wines. However, production is limited, as vineyards are small in size and yields are low. Today Priorat has become one of the most highly regarded wine regions in Spain and enjoys worldwide recognition. Starting in 1992, these wines were made separatelyĬatalan authorities approved the elevation of Priorat from DO to DOQ in 2000, but confirmation at the national level from the Spanish government in Madrid did not come until July 6, 2009. For the first three vintages, 1989-1991, a group of five wineries pooled their grapes, shared a winery in Gratallops and made ééone wine sold under five labels: Clos Mogador (Barbier), Clos Dofi (Palacios, later renamed Finca Dofi ), Clos Erasmus, Clos Martinet and Clos de l'Obac. In the 1980s, he convinced others, including Alvario Palacios, to follow suit and plant new vineyards in suitable locations, all named Clos. At that time, there were 600 hectares of Priorat vineyards. Winemaker René Barbier, then working at a winery in Rioja owned by the Palacios family, bought his first land of Priorat vineyards in 1979, convinced of the region's potential. And wine production in the Priorat wine region started to develop again. Until an energetic group of young winemakers started investing in this wine region south of Barcelona around 1980. Many vintners left the area and the vineyards fell into disrepair. However, when the vines in this geïisolated area in eastern Spain were devastated by a plague of lice in the 19th century, wine was no longer grown for a long time. Since the Middle Ages, wine has been grown in the Priorat wine region in Cataloniaë. They developed terraced vineyards on steep slopes and began cultivating grapes such as Garnacha and Carignan, which are still the main variëtees in the region. The monks introduced new techniques and improved agricultural practices, including viticulture. In the Middle Ages, monasteries played an important role in the development of viticulture in Priorat. The area was originally known for its religious significance, as there were several monasteries and priories that dominated the landscape. The name "Priorat" comes from the Latin word "prioratus", which means "priory". It has a long history dating back to Roman times. The Priorat wine region, also known as Priorato, is located in the province of Tarragona in Cataloniaë, Spain. The DOQ Priorat stands for Denominació d'Origen Qualificada and is the only region with this high quality recognition besides Rioja. From the rugged and remote, rocky hills of Priorat come some of Spain's leading wineries. A still unknown small wine region just under two hours drive from Barcelona that has a huge amount to offer. On this webshop you will find the beautiful wines from the D.O.Q Priorat wine region.
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