Priorat DOQ

Technical Summary

• Classification: DOQ (Denominació d’Origen Qualificada) — Catalan equivalent of DOCa
• Status: One of only two DOCa/DOQ appellations in Spain (with Rioja)
• EU Registration: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
• Geographic scope: 12 municipalities in Tarragona province
• Wine type: Predominantly red (~95%)
• Terroir: Famous llicorella (slate/schist) soils

Regulatory Constraints (Verified)

Ampelographic Composition

Traditional varieties:

• Garnacha Tinta (Grenache)
• Garnacha Peluda
• Cariñena (Carignan)

Permitted varieties:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Syrah

White varieties (limited production):

• Garnacha Blanca

• Macabeo

• Pedro Ximénez

• Chenin Blanc

• No minimum percentages specified

• Traditional varieties emphasized

• Source: Pliego de Condiciones DOQ Priorat

Geographic Delimitation

• Municipalities: 12 villages (Bellmunt del Priorat, Gratallops, El Lloar, La Morera de Montsant, Poboleda, Porrera, Scala Dei, Torroja del Priorat, La Vilella Alta, La Vilella Baixa, El Molar, Falset partial)
• Total vineyard area: ~2,000 hectares
• Terrain: Steep hillsides; terraced vineyards
• Source: Pliego de Condiciones

Llicorella Terroir

• Definition: Slate/schist soils with quartz inclusions
• Characteristics: Very low fertility; excellent drainage; heat retention
• Impact: Naturally restricts yields; concentrates flavors
• Source: DOQ documentation

Yield Limits

• Red wines: 6,000 kg/ha (~39 hl/ha)
• White wines: 6,000 kg/ha
• Among lowest yields in Spain
• Source: Pliego de Condiciones

Minimum Alcohol

• Red wines: 13.5% vol minimum
• White wines: 13.0% vol minimum
• Among highest minimums globally
• Source: Pliego de Condiciones

Vi de Vila Classification (2009)

• Definition: Village-level wines from specific municipalities
• Requirement: 100% grapes from named village
• Currently 12 villages eligible
• Source: 2009 classification regulations

Vi de Finca Classification

• Definition: Single-estate wines
• Requirements: Specific vineyard registration; quality controls
• Gran Vi de Finca: Highest category; estate-specific
• Source: Classification regulations

Enological Implications

Evidence-Backed Implications

Old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena:

• Many vineyards 50-100+ years old
• Pre-phylloxera plantings exist (sandy soils)
• Low yields from old vines

Llicorella influence:

• Slate soils provide mineral character
• Heat retention benefits late-ripening Cariñena
• Water stress concentrates flavors

High minimum alcohol (13.5%):

• Reflects concentrated, ripe style
• Actual wines often 14.5-16% vol
• Balance challenge in warmest vintages

Operational Observations

International variety role:

• Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah introduced in 1990s revival
• Blending with traditional varieties common
• Trend toward traditional variety emphasis

Vi de Vila positioning:

• Village-level classification creates terroir hierarchy
• Premium pricing opportunity
• Vineyard-source documentation required

Frequent Compliance Risks

Alcohol Shortfall

• Risk: Wine below 13.5% vol minimum
• Impact: Cannot be labeled Priorat DOQ
• Mitigation: Appropriate ripeness at harvest

Vi de Vila Sourcing

• Risk: Non-village grapes in Vi de Vila wine
• Impact: Cannot use village designation
• Mitigation: Strict harvest segregation

Yield Documentation

• Risk: Exceeding 6,000 kg/ha limit
• Impact: Excess declassified
• Mitigation: Yield monitoring; green harvest

Relevant Grape Varieties

• Grenache — traditional variety (as Garnacha)
• Cabernet Sauvignon — permitted variety
• Merlot — permitted variety
• Syrah — permitted variety

References

1. Pliego de Condiciones DOQ Priorat

   • Consell Regulador DOQ Priorat
   • URL: https://www.doqpriorat.org/

2. eAmbrosia - EU GI Register

   • URL: https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eambrosia/

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Last Updated: January 6, 2026