We could say that, for Made in Spain Gourmet, it is one of those oasis that we have in our country, Spain. Very particular orography, a lot of green in a dry area and excellent products are extracted from its wonderful lands. And he is still not recognized as he deserves… although it will come.
Year 2018. That was the date we discovered Sveta & I on Priorat. And since then, it has been one of those places where we have felt at home. Thanks, of course, to the people around us who had links with that land and who made us perfect hosts. Located about 150 km south of Barcelona, in the province of Tarragona, Priorat is a region associated with world-renowned wines and a lively agricultural landscape of great beauty, with Siurana and the Cartuja de Escaladei as places of interest more featured.
It is a very diverse region, with a large number of charming little towns, an endless network of paths, the Sierra de Montsant Natural Park, the protected natural space of the Sierra de Llaberia, hermitages and museums that speak of an eternal past, ancient sites, oil routes, wine routes, car routes, mountain bike routes..., for this reason, we always say that you should go to Priorat several times, to enjoy all its charms. Travel as a couple, as a family, with friends or simply alone to get lost in its landscapes.
Wine, its emblem
The first thing you think of when they say the word Priorat, is the wine. And that is thanks to the people who put it in its rightful place, because it is indisputably one of the most prestigious appellations of origin in Spain. those people are Rene Barbier y Álvaro Palacios, who at the end of the 80's, opted for these lands to cultivate their land and produce their wines in Priorat. Although they were not the first to make wine there.
The first to recognize the qualities of Priorat for winemaking were Carthusian monks from Provence. They settled in the XNUMXth century at the foot of the Montsant mountain range. It was in this century that they founded the Charterhouse of Scala Dei. Without a doubt, the monks found in these lands a place of silence, solitude and nature, perfect for recollection. At that time, seven surrounding villages were part of the domain of the prior of the abbey. And from there comes to this area the name of Priorat. The Carthusians promoted the expansion of the cultivation of the vine and discovered the excellent aptitudes of the area for the elaboration of wine. They knew perfectly the most suitable land for each variety.
The terrain, together with the microclimate, are the main elements that provide the uniqueness, balance, strength and notoriety of Priorat wines. Some terroirs receive more humidity because they are oriented towards the sea, and others the opposite, that is the magic of Priorat. The protection offered by the Montsant mountain range to the cold winds from the north also makes its wines characteristic. Thus, the climate is marked especially by the notable thermal oscillations between day and night. To these climatic conditions is added a particular geography. The vineyard is grown in costs with slopes so steep that they lead, in some cases, to building terraces.
It is the territory of llicorella. Some flat and brittle stones of a dark color, between which the roots of the vines penetrate in search of water and nutrients. These soils are the main essence of Priorat wines.
Two Denominations of Origin coexist in the region, the DOC Priorat (qualified) and the DO Montsant, both excellent, with fantastic wines and that you can find in our online gourmet shop.
From the Priorat DOC you have the winery Clos Figueras, Mervm Priorati y perinet. And from the DO Montsant, Vinyes Domenech. and the grapes Carignan y red grenache, They are the queens of the place.
As always behind each one of them, there are people who captivated us by their way of appreciating the land where they make their wines. Of course, if you have the chance, we recommend you go visit them and meet them live. The Cannan family, the Ventura family, the McGlynn family, or the Domènech family They are delighted to welcome you among their vineyards. There is nothing more exciting than strolling through the "terrasses" of their land. And then ask the question, how can these strains really give such a good wine? So that's it.
Extra virgin olive oil, the other jewel
Apart from wine, in the region we find another of the star products of our gastronomy, such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which finds in those parts, an ideal land for its cultivation. Under the PDO Siurana, and with the arbequina variety as predominant, the Priorat EVOO is of excellent quality, fruity and very balanced. And the oils selected for our gourmet store are the EVOO Clos Figueras y Ed'o, both of the Arbequina variety, and with the Siurana PDO certification.
They are ideal to accompany dishes, finish them and as an ingredient in a good gazpacho. EVOO always has to be present in our dishes.
En Made in Spain Gourmet We feel 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 when reading it, to make it more stimulating.
The EVOO, in addition to what I have told you before, pairing it with cheeses is ideal to extract all the flavor of them.
Living in the Mediterranean is a privilege because of the products it offers us, and it is a pleasure for us to share them with all of you.
AUTHOR: Israel Romero, CEO of Made in Spain Gourmet.
