Israel Romero / Monday, June 6, 2022 / Categories: Blog El Priorat: a culinary paradise El Priorat We could say that, for Made in Spain Gourmet, it is one of those oases we have in our country, Spain. Very particular orography, a lot of green in a dryland area, and excellent products are extracted from its wonderful soils. And it is still not as widely recognized as it deserves… but it will be. Wine, its emblem Extra virgin olive oil, the other jewel. The year 2018. That was when Sveta and I discovered the Priorat. Since then, it has been one of those places where we have felt right at home. Thanks, of course, to the people around us who had ties to that land and who acted as perfect hosts. Located about 150 km south of Barcelona, in the province of Tarragona, Priorat is a comarca associated with world-renowned wines and a lively, beautiful agricultural landscape, with Siurana and the Scala Dei Charterhouse as its most notable points of interest. It is a very diverse region, with a large number of charming small villages, an endless network of paths, the Montsant Mountain Range Natural Park, the protected natural area of the Llaberia Mountain Range, hermitages and museums that speak of an eternal past, ancient sites, olive oil routes, wine routes, driving routes, mountain bike routes..., so we always say you should visit Priorat several times to enjoy all its charms. Trips as a couple, with family, friends, or simply solo to get lost among its landscapes. Wine, its emblem The first thing you think of when you hear the word Priorat is wine. And that is thanks to the people who put it where it belongs, because indisputably it is one of Spain’s most prestigious appellations. Those people are René Barbier and Álvaro Palacios, who in the late 1980s decided to cultivate and make their wines in the Priorat. Although they were not the first to make wine there. The first to recognize Priorat’s qualities for winemaking were Carthusian monks from Provence. They settled in the 12th century at the foot of the Montsant mountain range. It was in that century that they founded the Scala Dei Charterhouse. Without a doubt, the monks found in these lands a place of silence, solitude and nature, perfect for contemplation. At that time, seven nearby villages were part of the prior of the abbey’s domain. And from that comes the name Priorat. The Carthusians encouraged the expansion of viticulture and discovered the area’s excellent suitability for winemaking. They knew perfectly well which plots were most suitable for each variety. Soil, together with the microclimate, are the main elements that give Priorat wines their singularity, balance, strength and notoriety. Some terroirs receive more moisture because they face the sea, and others quite the opposite — that is the magic of Priorat. Also, the protection the Montsant mountain range offers from cold northern winds makes its wines distinctive. Thus, the climate is especially marked by notable temperature swings between day and night. To these climatic conditions is added a particular geography. The vine is cultivated on costers with slopes so steep that in some cases terraces must be built. It is the territory of the llicorella. Flat, brittle, dark-colored slate-like stones in which the vine roots penetrate in search of water and nutrients. These soils are the principal essence of Priorat wines. In the comarca two Denominations of Origin coexist, the D.O.C. Priorat (qualified) and the D.O. Montsant, both excellent, with fantastic wines that you can find in our gourmet online shop. From the DOC of Priorat you have the wineries Clos Figueras, Mervm Priorati and Perinet. And from the DO Montsant, Vinyes Domenech. The grapes Carignan and Garnacha Tinta (Grenache) are the region’s queens. As always, behind each of them there are people who captivated us by the way they appreciate the land where they make their wines. Of course, if you have the chance, we recommend visiting them and meeting them in person. The Cannan family, the Ventura family, the McGlynn family, and the Domènech family are delighted to welcome you among their vineyards. There is nothing more exciting than walking along the terraces of their lands. And then asking yourself, how can these vines really produce such a great wine? Well, that’s how it is. Extra virgin olive oil, the other jewel Aside from wine, in the region we find another star product of our gastronomy, namely Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which finds an ideal land for cultivation there. Under the PDO Siurana, and with the arbequina variety predominant, Priorat EVOO is of excellent quality — fruity and very balanced. The oils selected for our gourmet shop are the EVOO Clos Figueras and Ed’o, both from the arbequina variety and certified by PDO Siurana. They are ideal for accompanying dishes, finishing them, and as an ingredient in a good gazpacho. EVOO should always be present in our dishes. At Made in Spain Gourmet we are very proud to share a little piece of Priorat with you. Opening a bottle of Priorat wine and enjoying it with friends is one of our favorite pleasures, although Svetlana also enjoys it during her reading time to make it more stimulating. EVOO, besides what I mentioned before, is ideal paired with cheeses to bring out their full flavor. Living in the Mediterranean is a privilege because of the products it offers us, and for us it is a pleasure to share them with all of you. A beginning that said it all When Iberian products become a sign of identity. Print 5 Rate this article: No rating Tags: gourmetSpain Please login or register to post comments.