Find out moreĭiscover the Allure of Grenache Blanc: Full-Bodied White Wine from Northeastern Spain. Explore its versatility in exquisite wines. Find out moreĭiscover Viura: Rioja's Prominent White Grape & Catalonia's Macabeo. It is widely agreed that Falset is the greatest wine village in Montsant – the gateway to Priorat, no less.Ĭhardonnay is a green-skinned grape varietal native to the Burgundy wine region in France and one of the most popular varieties worldwide. Therefore judicious canopy management is crucial in Montsant if the winemaker desires quality. In contrast, Priorat is famous for its unique, porous, and slate-like soils – llicorella in Catalan – naturally infertile, giving low yields and extremely concentrated wines. Montsant’s vineyards tend to be planted on granite and sandy soils, giving generous grape yields in the right conditions. However, despite Montsant’s proximity to its smaller rival, the terroir is quite different, reflected in the wine style. This is also an important quality factor in neighboring Priorat. As a result, the vine’s metabolism slows down in the evening, preserving acidity and freshness in the wines. This is a winegrower’s best friend: a significant temperature difference between day and night. Some climats (vineyard sites) rise to 700 meters above sea level, benefiting from diurnal temperature variation. Fortunately, the local topography is very diverse, and vineyards grow along the mountainsides and on the slopes among olive trees and spectacular forests. Yet the intense summer heat presents challenges: excessive alcohol can be an issue in the lower-elevation sites. Frost damage is also quite rare, another contributing factor to the generally healthy yields enjoyed by growers in the region. As a result, the summer growing season tends to be dry at harvest time, with a risk of rainfall. Climatically, the area enjoys a relatively benign Mediterranean climate with continental influences. And, like Priorat, there is plenty of heat and sunshine in this part of Spain. The vineyards surround its more famous cousin, Priorat, flanked by that appellation’s celebrated slate hills. Montsant is located in one of southern Catalunya’s most scenic regions. Geography and terroir Nature's Staircase, Terraced Vineyards in Montsant A few rosés, dessert, and rancio fortified wines using the sherry solera system are also produced in the region, although these are dwindling in number. Single-varietal examples are rare, as winemakers feel blends tend to give the best expression of the Montsant terroir. Whites are Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Moscatel, Pansal, and Parellada blends. There is also a small amount of white production in Montsant, but it is the reds for which the region is making a formidable name. However, they are considerably better valued! Also, interestingly, this region produces some of Spain’s best Kosher Wines. Many labels can usually be enjoyed on release and don’t tend to age for very long periods, lacking the structure of top red Priorat. They are typically medium-bodied, with a supple black fruit character and softer tannins than Priorat’s wines. Like Priorat, the reds tend to be blends of the widely planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Mazuelo (Carignan), Garnacha, Syrah, and Tempranillo or Ull de Llebre in Catalan. Nonetheless, they are delicious and lovely to drink in their own right. Thus, the red wines of the DO can be (and often are) excellent but also tend to be less powerful, concentrated, and mineral-driven than those of their famous neighbor. Maturation in wood is a crucial part of the winemaking process in Montsant, particularly for Garnacha/Syrah blends, often enriched with a dash of Carignan.īut, there is no getting away from the divergence in terroir there is no llicorella in Monstant, the single most important factor in Priorat’s quality equation. Only the finest fruit is fermented in various vessels, including concrete eggs, stainless steel, and oak. Glistening with shiny new equipment, these wineries adopt a sophisticated approach to vinifying and aging their wines. Still, many of the latter region’s bodegas are run by supremely talented winemakers and technical directors. Comparisons between Priorat and Monstant are unavoidable – and inevitable.
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