WineTasteTV - Offering Wine Education and Information Videos

WINE TERMS

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Priorat; Priorato DOCa
[pree-oh-RAHT; pree-oh-RAH-toh]

This DOCA is located next to the larger TARRAGONA DO in the southern part of Spain’s CATALONIA region. Priorat, which gained DO status in 1975, has only about 2,500 vineyard acres. In the 1980s and 1990s, a new group of producers, called the “Gratallops pioneers,” transformed this region and put Priorat on the map when they began producing very high-quality wines that gained international fame. In the year 2000, Priorat was raised from a DO to a DOCa (DENOMINACIÓN DE ORIGEN CALIFICADA), Spain’s top classification. Priorat is only the second DO (after the RIOJA DOCA) to be so honored. The area’s mountainous region finds terraced vineyards clinging to steep hillsides. The climate produces low YIELDS, which allows winemakers to create intense, full-flavored, full-bodied (see BODY) wines that are generally high in ALCOHOL (from 13.5 percent to 18 percent). Most of the wines are red, made from Garnacha Tinta (GRENACHE), Carinena (CARIGNAN), and a variant of Garnacha Tinta called Garnacha Peluda. A small amount of white wine is made from Garnacha Blanca (Grenache), MACABEO, and PEDRO XIMÉNEZ. This area also produces FORTIFIED WINES ranging from DRY to sweet. Non-native grape VARIETIES have been introduced into the area including CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CHENIN BLANC, MERLOT, and SYRAH.
Related Links: Tarragona DO, Catalonia, Denominació
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
1995 based on THE WINE LOVER'S COMPANION,
by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst.

WINE TERMS: P

< O P Q >

RELATED VIDEO

Sip on this:
What’s up DOC? What’s the difference between DOC and DOCG status in Italy? Find the Answer
 

Video Index