To the trained or untrained eye, what immediately distinguishes Priorat from other grape-growing regions in the world is its soil type.  Many believe the secret to Priorat’s success lies in its amazing, granite-like soils, known to the Catalan people as llicorella and to the rest of Spain as pizarra.  The llicorella soil resembles slate or shale rock, intermixed with tiny bands of reddish-brown earth.  The name llicorella stems from the Catalan word for licorice, chosen to describe the black, somewhat shiny rocky substrate which is high in mineral content. Rather easy to break apart by hand in one direction, but virtually indestructible in another, this magnificent rock forces the roots of vines to dig very deep in search of water, and is credited for the intensity and mineral character of the wines.

Another important aspect of Priorat’s unique terroir is its climate.  The region is extremely arid and receives hardly any rain during the summer months.  Irrigation is rarely used as water is scarce, and is typically saved for the youngest vines and the hottest years.  Due to the steep slopes, rocky soil and little water, the annual production per acre in Priorat is extremely low.  A head-pruned, old vine in the region might yield only enough fruit for a half-bottle of wine.

This low production directly contributes to the characteristically concentrated wines of the region, which have great tannins, deep color and high alcohol content (13.5-15.5%).  The extremely harsh growing conditions and low-yielding vines also help explain the high cost of Priorat wines, which are justifiably more expensive than those of other high-volume wine regions of Spain

Priorat Statistics:

Location: the Province of Tarragona, approximately 1.5 hours south of Barcelona
D.O. Priorat founded: 1954
D.O.Q. status awarded: 1999
Average age of vines:
         40% of vines are >20 years old
         35% between 8-20 year old. 
         25% <7 years old
Planting/pruning system: Head pruned old vines and trellised younger vines. Planted in terraces, or scattered on very steep slopes.
Varieties:
         Whites: Chenin Blanc, Macabeo, Garnacha Blanca, Pedro Ximénez.
         Reds: Cariñena, Garnacha, Garnacha peluda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
                    and Syrah.
Hectares planted to vines: 1,780
Grape growers: 550
Wineries: 79 (data from 2007)
Average annual production: 4,700,100 kilos
Commercialization: 45% of wine consumed within Spain, 55% exported
Rating of each harvest from 1993-2005*:
         1993    Excellent
         1994    Very good
         1995    Excellent
         1996    Excellent
         1997    Good
         1998    Excellent
         1999    Very good
         2000    Excellent
         2001    Excellent
         2002    Excellent
         2003    Very good
         2004    Excellent
         2005    Excellent

* as listed in the Anuario de los Vinos Españoles, published each year & containing various information on all wines from each D.O. in Spain).