The new Priorat classification

The new Priorat classification

Priorat is one of only two wine regions in Spain to qualify as a DOCa, the highest level of qualification for a wine region under Spanish wine regulations, alongside Rioja DOCa. Priorat achieved its qualified appellation status (DOQ) in 2000 (preceded by Rioja in 1991) and was the first region to introduce village wines in Spain in 2007.

The new DOQ Priorat classification, called Els noms de la terra (The names of the land), is the most ambitious ever undertaken by a Spanish wine-producing region besides Bierzo in Castilla y León. It reinforces the Burgundy-inspired model in Spain, as opposed to the traditional classification of Rioja based on maturation times in oak. It also goes well beyond Rioja's new village and single-vineyard wine categories.

Priorat benefits from being younger and much smaller (2,010 ha versus 65,000 ha) than Rioja, as this area of southern Catalonia was neglected and impoverished after phylloxera and in the 1960s and 1970s.

As a member of the recently re-elected Regulatory Council board of directors, Álvaro Palacios is one of the driving forces behind the classification and a major influence as the largest producer in the Priorat wine region. Significantly, he is also behind the most expensive wine in this region with his famous wine L'Ermita.

How does it work?

It is the land, the 12 villages, the 459 sites and the estates in DOQ Priorat that add the special individuality to the vineyards grown on them, by following the traceability process developed by Consell Regulador de la DOQ Priorat, which allows us to guarantee, from the origin, the provenance of the grapes used in winemaking.

In addition, a tasting committee will be established by Spanish and international experts. It remains to be seen how all producers will deal with this new classification and under what "denomination" they will market their wine. As far as the Consejo is concerned, the new classification is intended to clearly show the origin of the wines on the label.

Today, 51 wineries in DOQ Priorat are part of the "The Names of the Land" classification project. Specifically, starting with the 2020 harvest and earlier, the Consell Regulador is carrying out the traceability of 41 wineries as Vi de Vila; 31 as Vi de Paratge; 3 as Vinya Classificada; 3 as Gran Vinya Classificada and 10 as Velles Vinyes.

Below are the applicable categories:

DOQ Priorat - Regional wine / Regional wine:

• Grapes sourced from all over the appellation.
• Creativity and freedom are encouraged, both in terms of innovation and trends.

DOQ Priorat Vi de Vila (village wine):

• Since the 2007 vintage.
• Grapes grown within the boundaries of the village as determined by the Consejo Regulador.
• Made from vineyards owned or long-term leased (minimum seven years).
• Maximum yields: 7,000 kg/ha for whites; 5,000 kg/ha for reds.
• Minimum 60% Garnacha and/or Cariñena.
• 90% of the vineyards must be at least 10 years old: the remaining 10% must be at least five years old.

DOQ Priorat Vi de Paratge (lieu-dit):

• Since the 2017 harvest.
• Grapes grown on a single site whose boundaries are determined by the Consejo Regulador.
• Made from vineyards owned or long-term leased (minimum seven years).
• Maximum yields: 6,000 kg/ha for whites; 4,000 kg/ha for reds.
• Minimum 60% Garnacha and/or Cariñena.
• 90% of the vineyards must be at least 15 years old; the remaining 10% must be at least five years old.

DOQ Priorat Vinya classificada (premier cru):

• Since the 2017 harvest.
• Grapes grown on a single vineyard classified by the Consejo Regulador
• Made from vineyards owned or long-term leased (minimum seven years).
• Maximum yields: 6,000 kg/ha for white; 4,000 kg/ha. for red
• Minimum 60% Garnacha and/or Cariñena
• 80% of vineyards must be at least 20 years old: the remaining 20% must be at least five years old.
• Traceability of at least five years.

DOQ Priorat Gran vinya classificada (grand cru):

• Since the 2017 harvest.
• Grapes grown on a single vineyard classified by the Consejo Regulador and using traditional growing methods.
• Made from vineyards owned or long-term leased (minimum seven years).
• Maximum yields: 4,000 kg/ha for whites; 3,000 kg/ha for reds.
• Minimum 90% Garnacha and/or Cariñena.
• 80% of the vineyards must be at least 35 years old; the remaining 20% must be at least 10 years old.
• Traceability of at least five years.

Old vines:

• 75 years old or planted before 1945.
• Can be used in all categories.

The three wineries currently allowed to use the Gran Vinya Classificada appellation are "Mas de la Rosa" by Vall Llach, "1902, Tossal d'en Bou" by Mas Doix and "L'Ermita" by Álvaro Palacios.