Wines with a Sense of Place

Introduction

The Montsant wine appellation or Designation of Origin has gone from being one of the

revelations of the last few years to being a reference point for the national and international

wine scene. The quality of its wines, made from Garnatxa (Grenache) and Carinyena

(Carignan) grape varieties has proved the critics and specialist press right, when they

qualified the appellation as “a rising star” and a “great discovery”.

Now, the New York Times speaks of the Montsant as a DO (wine appellation) “(which has)

reinvented (itself)...new producers have jumped into the global fray.”. The Guia Peñin, the

most important wine guide in Spain, says that it “is the DO which has grown most in terms

of quality in Catalonia; a DO where all wineries have worked well, to a point where we can

now speak of a Montsant brand”. Sobremesa, one of the most outstanding gastronomy

magazines in Spain, affirms that Montsant “is enjoying a passionate romance with

consumers and critics”. Finally, La Guia de Vins (Catalan Wine Guide), a benchmark in

Catalonia, also praises the DO and writes that “Montsant is the avant-garde of a way of

making wine, which over time has been consolidated as an option in its own right”.

This acclaim by specialist wine press is mirrored by consumers. Nowadays, Montsant wines

can be found on tables in around forty countries. Nearly half of the wines made in Montsant

are destined for export.

Montsant wineries have maintained their goal to keep surprising and captivating us with

wines of great quality. These wines are true to a land, which, with a contrasting climate,

rugged terrain, diverse soil types and historical grape varieties, coupled with man’s helping

hand, can add numerous nuances to the finished product.

DO Montsant

A Sense of Place

What makes a good wine into a great one is its capacity to transmit where

it comes from. This sense of place in Montsant leads to unique wines

which tell of how climatic diversity, mountainous terrain and different soil

types and grape varieties, coupled with man’s helping hand can add

numerous nuances to the finished product.

These wines are unique, bursting with their own identity, wines which add

diversity and enrich the DO and yet still manage to define it globally.

3

DO Montsant

Location and Lay of the Land

The DO Montsant is made up of seventeen municipal areas which are mainly

located in the “comarca” (county) of Priorat. There are also some vineyards

located in the “comarca” (county) of Ribera d’Ebre and in total the vineyard area

for both regions is around 1,800 Hectares (4,447 Acres). The land of the DO

Montsant forms a semi-circle of mountainous terrain which on paper makes a

rather interesting shape. To the North, our wine appellation is home to the

impressive Montsant mountain range (which lends its name to the DO) and La

Llena mountain range which are joined onto the leafy Prades mountain range.

To the east, the boundaries are marked by the Argentera, Mola de Colldejou

and Llaberia mountain ranges or Catalan Coastal Mountain Ranges which augur

the closeness of this part to the Mediterranean sea. They face towards La

Figuera and the Tormo mountains which are on the other side of the

appellation. To the south, the land broadens and opens up towards the Ebro

river valley, where the rivers of Siurana and Montsant converge. These two rivers

and that of Capçanes creek are the main water sources of our vineyards.

The DO Montsant relief is varied and mountainous. In some areas its hills are

rolling, especially to the south. The vineyards are located at between 50 metres

above sea level in the lowest areas, up to 700 metres in the highest areas.

4

Climate

The DO. Montsant climate is influenced by the mountainous terrain, the Ebro River

(especially the southern zone) and Mediterranean sea breezes. Due to these factors,

the climate is Mediterranean with continental aspects.

The effect of the mountains, which partly protect the vines from maritime influences is

clearly seen in an acute contrast between day-time and night-time temperatures

during the ripening period of the grapes. This difference helps to increase the level of

polyphenols, leading to the production of more consistent wines. The average

minimum temperature is around 9ºC and the average maximum temperatures are no

more than 21ºC. In general, the winters are cold and the summers hot and dry. Rainfall

is around 400-700 litres/m² a year and are unevenly distributed throughout the year,

occurring mainly in springtime and autumn.

During the summer, the humid winds from the sea start to blow inland in the late

afternoon. These winds bring much needed extra moisture during the dry months

leading up to grape ripening.

Given the relief of the DO Montsant, we can find an infinite number of microclimates

which give each vineyard plot its own special personality.

DO Montsant

5

Soil Types

DO Montsant soils are very diverse and denote a richness of origin and

composition which afford it a mosaic-like quality throughout the area. Even

though in each zone there is a prevailing soil type, it is often not unusual to

DO Montsant

discover more minority based soil types within these main soil outcrops.

Often in the DO Montsant, a stroll through any vineyard, reveals how

capricious geology has been with this land.

Calcareous or limestone-based soils

Compact soils, whose main sedimentary

materials were caused by the erosion and

sedimentation of rivers, such as silty loam

(also known locally as “panal” in this

area). We can also find reddish soils, high

in clay content.

Granitic soils

Decomposed soils, made up mainly of

granit ic sand which occur when

conglomerate masses are eroded.

These soils are low in organic matter

and do not retain water well.

Slate-based soils

Slate-based soils made up of silica slate

which is known locally as “llicorella”.

These soils are poor in organic matter.

As these stones are eroded, we can also

find more compacted red clay soils.

6

Grape Varieties - Historical ones and prevailing ones

Reds

Garnatxa Negra (Red Grenache)A variety which is very well adapted to very hot and dry conditions. A very sensual grape

in terms of aromatic profile, which produces very complex, well structured wines. Garnatxa

Negra (Red Grenache) wines typically offer aromas of ripe black fruit, plums, jam,

Mediterranean herbs and spicy notes. On the other hand, due to the high concentrations

of sugar, overly ripe grapes and the grape varieties sensitivity to oxidize, Garnatxa Negra

(Red Grenache) is also used for fortified wines.

Carinyena (Carignan)This is also known in the area as Samsó (in Catalan) and is a relatively productive grape

variety which needs a lot of sunshine in order to ripen properly. Carinyena (Carignan) wines

are deeply coloured and aromatically very intense. Alcohol levels tend to be moderate

and these wines have very good acidity. In the mouth, they are slightly astringent and very

elegant.

DO Montsant

Variety Hectares %

Garnatxa Negra 589,03 34,41%Carinyena 516,89 30,20%Ull de llebre 196,59 11,49%Syrah 134,81 7,88%Merlot 125,48 7,33%Cabernet Sauvignon 122,16 7,14%Garnatxa Peluda 12,46 0,73%Garnatxa Roja 10,05 0,59%Picapoll Negre 2,75 0,16%Monastrell 1,34 0,08%Total 1711,56 100,00%

Red Grapes1.711,56Ha

94%

7

Grape Varieties - Historical ones and prevailing ones

Whites

Garnatxa Blanca (White Grenache)This variety is well adapted to hot climates. It gives a very juicy, aromatic grape, which

is used for making very distinct white wines which are very flavoursome. Garnatxa

Blanca white wines offer great acidity and balance, be them young wines or oaked

wines. Aromas of honey, forest floor and certain silkiness in the mouth are very typical

of Garnatxa Blanca wines.

Macabeu (Viura)

Large berries, fine skinned and a golden yellow colour. These grapes ripen will and

have well concentrated sugars. They make dry wines which are refreshing and well

balanced. Fruit aromas such as apple and white fleshed fruits are typical of the

Macabeu grape variety.

DO Montsant

Variety Hectares %Garnatxa Blanca 55,12 52,81%Macabeu 37,75 36,17%Chardonnay 3,71 3,55%Moscatell de Gra Petit 1,36 1,30%Xarel·lo 6,27 6,01%Parellada 0,16 0,15%Total 104,37 100,00%

White Grapes104,37Ha

6%

8

Vineyards, People, Wineries

DO Montsant wines are the result of a century

old tradition coupled with up-to-date

academic knowledge. These are hand-crafted

wines, where the winemaker is present

throughout the winemaking process. This

process is the result of an unmistakeable

relationship between the vineyards and the

winery. The winegrower looks after the vines so

that cellar masters and winemakers receive the

best grapes possible, the ones which allow

them to make wines which are enjoyed and

loved the world over.

The DO Montsant embraces all its wineries.

These wineries can go from being big

cooperative wineries down to small family

businesses, with private wineries of different

shapes and sizes in between. Whatever the

business structure or production levels, they all

share the same goal: to make quality wines

which tell of this land.

DO Montsant

9

DO Montsant Zoning Project

The DO Montsant Zoning Project began in 2008 and is a way of creating

self-awareness of the DO and is also a way to deepen ties with wine and the

surrounding area. It also re-affirms the identity and furthers the winegrowing

potential.

DO Montsant

14,02ºC 667,2mm

330-420m % 30%

The vineyards planted here are on loamy soils, known locally as “panal”. The zone is characterised by gravelly, sandy and limestone-based soils.

Pradell de la Teixeta - La Torre de Fontaubella

14,97ºC 649,9mm

300-400m % 15%

Here we find sandy areas known as “sauló” (decomposed granite). There are also stony soils with a mix of Llicorella (slate) and granite which do not tend to retain water.

Falset

16,05ºC 525mm

100-500m % 14%

Here the soils are clay-based, with good water retention. There are also Llicorella soils and soils which are a mix between sandy soils and loam.

Marçà - Capçanes - Els Guiamets - La Serra

14,33ºC 484,74mm

400-700m % 27%

The Ulldemolins zone is characterised by its loamy soils. In Cornudella, we can find limestone-based soils, slates and round pebbles.

Cornudella de Montsant - Ulldemolins

13,37ºC 395,23mm

300-500m % 32%

The vineyards are planted on clay-based soils with a calcareous or limestone based substrate.

La Figuera - Cabaces - La Bisbal - Margalef

15,55ºC 440,7mm

50-300m % 17%

A zone which contains many soil types. We can find clays, loams and sand as well as stonier soils of Llicorella (slate).

El Molar - El Masroig - Darmós

Based on relief and climatic analysis as well as the phenolic vineyard cycle of

Garnatxa (Grenache) and Carinyena (Carigna) vines, the DO. Montsant has

effectively been divided into 6 different zones. In each of these zones, the

soil types found there have also been identified.

10

DO Montsant

Some data about DO Montsant

Towns: 16.

Wineries: 53.

Vineyards: 1.815,93 Ha.

Red Varieties: 1.711,56 Ha. 96%.

White Varieties: 104,37 Ha. 6%.

Production: 7-9 millions de kg.

Production 2014: 7.992.831 kg.

Commercialitzation 2014: 5.478.492 bottles.

40%

60%

SpainExport

Global

62%

38%

UEOther Countries

Export

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Landscape

DO Montsant Grape growers and wineries have successfully combined human

activity with landscape preservation. The agricultural landscape has been one of

the region’s most precious assets for centuries. It tells of the farmers, who have

worked this land in very much a positive way. Today’s modern world increasingly

appreciates natural areas which have not been destroyed by lack of respect for

Nature or by aggressive actions. This landscape has been little exploited and is

synonym of a job well done. It is an example of quality and sustainability.

DO Montsant

These values define DO Montsant wines, values which make us proud and which

we always transmit to those who wish to get to know them.

The DO Montsant, together with the DOQ Priorat head up the county’s UNESCO

candidature to declare the area a World Heritage Site. The goal is to achieve

international recognition of this agricultural model that seamlessly combines a

long-standing Mediterranean agrarian tradition, with creativity and innovation

without losing sight of the future.

12

A Little HistoryFirst evidence of wine-making in the area dates back to the Roman Empire. Remains of a

Roman villa or settlement have been found in the little village of Marçà. Amongst the

pieces found were wine amphorae which were probably destined to be consumed in the

great city of Tarraco (present-day Tarragona and Roman Empire capital in Hispania).

Major planting of vineyards took place in what is now the DO Montsant in the Middle

Ages. This growth was more notable particularly after the conquest of these lands from

the Moors and the subsequent re-population of the area by the Christians. The hamlet of

Siurana was the last Moorish stronghold in Catalonia which was finally conquered in 1153.

However, it was during the re-introduction of Christianity to the area, that the Carthusian

monks of Scala Dei made grapes an inseparable part of this land, bringing in new farming

techniques which enabled the area under vine to expand further. The establishment of the

Carthusian Priory or Charterhouse was so important that the “comarca” or administrative

county adopted its name: Priorat (meaning the Land of the Prior) which is now home to

two wine appellations.

There followed moments of crisis and moments of splendour, but winemaking has been a

constant activity in the villages of the DO Montsant since then. International commerce

DO Montsant

via the nearby city of Reus led to centuries of successful wine production. The high point

of this trade came in the nineteenth century, when Montsant wines were exported to

France, intended mainly for traders in Bordeaux and Roussillon, specifically to the winery

of Thuir in Roussillon. Wines from today’s DO Montsant were already present and winning

awards at the World Fairs of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

At the end of the nineteenth century, the phylloxera plague saw the beginning of an

important crisis in the sector. Co-operative wineries were set up to try to maintain grape-

growing in the area and to stop the rapid depopulation as people rushed to the cities to

find work. Good examples of these co-operatives are the beautiful Art Nouveau wineries

of Falset and Cornudella de Montsant which date from 1919 and are still in use today.

In 1932, the first official wine appellations were recognised by the Spanish state and were

identified in the “Estatut del Vi” or “Wine Statute”. DO Tarragona was one of the first

wine appellations to be mentioned in this document. Within its limits lay the “Falset

subzone”, which was located in what is now the current DO. Montsant area. Finally, and

taking into account the specific characteristics of our wines and the importance of grape

growing in the area, in 2001, the Montsant Designation of Origin was ratified.

13

Wineries

Acústic Celler (Marçà)(+34) 629 472 988

acusticceller.comBottles: 150.000.Wines: Acústic, Braó, Auditori.

Agrícola Aubacs i Solans (La Figuera)(+34) 977 825 228 / 606 366 250Bottles: 7.000 – 10.000.

Wines: Aubacs i Solans.

Agrícola d’Ulldemolins (Ulldemolins)(+34) 977 651 613 / 646 955 468coopulldemolins.com

Bottles: 25.000.Wines: Pedrenyeres, Ulldemolins.

Agrícola La Serra d’Almos (La Serra d’Almos)(+34) 977 418 125serradalmos.comBottles: 12.000 - 15.000.

Wines: Mussefres, L’Om.

Alfredo Arribas (Falset)(+34) 932 531 760

portaldelpriorat.comBottles: 50.000 – 60.000.Wines: Trossos Sants, Siuralta, Faunus, Gotes.

DO Montsant

Amics del Gobe (Marçà)(+34) 679 606 819info@amicsdelgobe.com

Bottles: 1.000.Wines: Gobe.

Baronia del Montsant (Cornudella de Montsant)(+34) 977 821 483 / 667 666 066

baronia-m.comBottles: 150.000.

Wines: Englora, Englora AV14, Cims del Montsant.

Celler AiBar (Darmós)(+34) 977 417 532 / 639 321 367celleraibar.eu

Bottles: 20.000 – 25.000.Wines: XYZ, Parrell.

Celler Anguera Domènech (Darmós)(+34) 977 405 857 / 654 382 633vianguera.com

Bottles: 10.000 - 15.000.Wines: Reclot i Vinya Gasó.

Celler Cairats (Darmós)(+34) 685 194 745

cellercairats.comBottles: 10.000.

Wines: Cairats, Cairats Selecció.

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DO Montsant

Celler Cedó Anguera (La Serra d’Almos)(+34) 699 694 728cedoanguera.com

Bottles: 30.000.Wines: Anexe Samsó, Anexe Syrah, Clònic.

Celler Clos Mesorah (Marçà)(+34) 606 186 565

elviVins.comBottles: 4.000.

Wines: Clos Mesorah.

Celler Clos Pissarra (Falset)(+34) 626 656 730miuravineyards.com

Bottles: 8.000.Wines: Clos Pissarra.

Celler Comunica (Falset)(+34) 600 753 840 / 607 531 018cellercomunica.comBottles: 30.000 – 35.000.

Wines: Comunica, La Peluda, Vinya Goretti, La Comèdia.

Celler Cooperatiu de Cornudella (Cornudella de Montsant)(+34) 977 821 329cellercornudella.cat

Bottles: 35.000 – 40.000.Wines: Castell de Siurana, Les Troies, El Codolar.

Celler de Capçanes (Capçanes)(+34) 977 178 319

cellercapcanes.comBottles: 850.000 – 1.000.000.Wines: Mas Collet, Cabrida, Costers Gravet, Peraj Ha’abib.

Celler de l’Era (Cornudella de Montsant)(+34) 686 246 679cellerdelera.com

Bottles: 30.000 - 35.000.Wines: Bri, Mim.

Celler el Masroig (El Masroig)(+34) 977 825 026

cellermasroig.comBottles: 900.000 – 1.000.000.Wines: Les Sorts, Ètnic, Solà Fred, Pinyeres.

15

DO Montsant

Celler Els Guiamets (Els Guiamets)(+34) 977 413 018cellerelsguiamets.com

Bottles: 110.000 - 125.000.Wines: Mas dels Mets, Les Tallades, Gran Mets.

Celler La Placeta (Els Guiamets)(+34) 676 578 925

cellerlaplaceta.comBottles: 3.000.

Wines: Blanc La Placeta, 30-5 Negre Jove.

Celler Laurona (Falset)(+34) 977 831 712 / 678 710 267cellerlaurona.com

Bottles: 50.000 – 55.000.Wines: Laurona, Laurona Plini.

Celler Malondro (Cornudella de Montsant)(+34) 977 821 451 / 636 595 736malondro.es

Bottles: 20.000 – 25.000.Wines: Malondro, Latria, Coelum.

Celler Mas de les Vinyes (Cabacés)(+34) 977 719 690 / 652 568 848

masdelesvinyes.comBottles: 20.000 – 25.000.

Wines: Mas de les Vinyes, Traca i Mocador, Racó d’Atans.

Celler Pascona (Falset)(+34) 609 291 770pascona.com

Bottles: 15.000 – 20.000.Wines: Lo Petitó, La Mare, Lo Pare, Trencaclosques.

Celler Serra Major (Ulldemolins)(+34) 647 986 960santi@sarroges.com

Bottles: 2.000 – 3.000.Wines: Sarroges, Teix.

Celler Vermunver (Marçà)(+34) 977 178 288 / 686 143 240

genesi.catBottles: 4.000.

Wines: Gènesi Garnatxa, Gènesi Carinyena, Gènesi Selecció.

Cellers Can Blau (El Molar)(+34) 968 435 022gilfamily.es

Bottles: 425.000 – 500.000.Wines: Blau, Can Blau, Mas de Can Blau.

Cellers Capafons-Ossó (Falset)(+34) 977 831 201 / 626 335 785capafons-osso.comBottles: 4.000 – 6.000.

Wines: Auseta, Roigenc, Vessants, Masia Esplanes.

16

DO Montsant

Cellers Joan d’Anguera (Darmós)(+34) 977 418 348cellersjoandanguera.com

Bottles: 100.000 – 110.000.Wines: Altaroses, Joan d’Anguera, Finca L’Argatà, La Planella.

Cellers Sant Rafel (Pradell de la Teixeta)(+34) 689 792 305

cellerssantrafel.comBottles: 25.000 – 30.000.

Wines: Solpost, Solpost Fresc, Joana, Joana Selecció.

Cellers Unió (Els Guiamets)(+34) 977 842 352 / 607 223 818cellersunio.com

Bottles: 450.000 – 500.000.Wines: Perlat, Dairo, Clos Dalian.

Cingles Blaus (Cornudella de Montsant)(+34) 977 326 080 / 657 969 185cinglesblaus.comBottles: 20.000 – 25.000.

Wines: Cingles Blaus, Octubre, Mas de les Moreres.

Coca i Fitó (El Masroig)(+34) 619 777 419cocaifito.cat

Bottles: 145.000.Wines: Jaspi, Coca i Fitó, Cabirol, Aloja.

Cooperativa Falset Marçà (Falset)(+34) 977 830 105

etim.catBottles: 425.000 – 500.000.

Wines: Ètim, Lo Foc, Lo Senyor, La Dama de Blanc.

El Vi dels 20 (Falset)(+34) 616 515 012albert@elvidelsvint.org

Bottles: 4.000.Wines: El vi dels 20.

Ficaria Vins (La Figuera)(+34) 617 548 453ficariavins.net

Bottles: 5.000 – 7.000.Wines: Pater, Èlia, Cerverola, Matraketa.

Finca Fontanals (Falset)(+34) 977 368 841

fincafontanals.comBottles: 1.500 – 2.000.

Wines: Finca Fontanals.

Grifoll Declara Grup (El Molar)(+34) 977 825 149 / 626 176 474cgrifolldeclara@terra.es

Bottles: 40.000 – 50.000.Wines: Tossals.

17

DO Montsant

Josep Grau Viticultor (Marçà)(+34) 678 730 596josepgrauviticultor.com

Bottles: 25.000 – 30.000.Wines: Vespres, L’Efecte Volador, Regina.

Mas de l’Abundància (El Masroig)(+34) 627 471 444

masdelabundancia.comBottles: 25.000 – 30.000.

Wines: Mas de l’Abundància, Flvminis, HeMa, De Calpino.

Mas Perinet (Cornudella de Montsant)(+34) 977 827 113masperinet.com

Bottles: 400.Wines: Clos Maria, Gotia.

Noguerals (Cornudella de Montsant)(+34) 977 821 020 / 650 033 546noguerals.com

Bottles: 2.000 – 2.500.Wines: Corbatera.

Orto Vins (El Masroig)(+34) 629 171 246

ortovins.comBottles: 40.000.

Wines: Orto, Les Comes d’Orto, La Carrerada, Palell.

Portal del Montsant (Marçà)

(+34) 977 178 486 / 649 177 067portaldelmontsant.com

Bottles: 125.000 – 130.000.Wines: Brunus, Bruberry, Sant Bru.

Ronadelles (Cornudella de Montsant)(+34) 977 821 104 / 663 665 016ronadelles.com

Bottles: 130.000 – 140.000.Wines: Cap de Ruc, Petit, Giral Vinyes Velles.

Serra i Barceló (Els Guiamets)(+34) 649 670 430

serra-barcelo.comBottles: 5.000 – 6.000.

Wines: Octònia.

Spectacle Vins (La Figuera)(+34) 977 839 171espectaclevins.com

Bottles: 6.000.Wines: Espectacle.

Vendrell Rived (Marçà)(+34) 977 178 150 / 637 537 383vendrellrived.comBottles: 20.000 – 25.000.

Wines: Serè, Miloca, L’Alleu.

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DO Montsant

Venus La Universal (Falset)(+34) 977 830 545 / 639 121 244venuslauniversal.com

Bottles: 90.000 – 100.000.Wines: Dido, Venus.

Viñas del Montsant (Marçà)(+34) 977 831 309

fraguerau.comBottles: 55.000 – 60.000.

Wines: Garbó, Amor Loco.

Vins de Mas Sersal (Falset)(+34) 626 686 084estones.cat

Bottles: 5.000 – 6.000.Wines: Estones, Petites Estones, Terces.

Vinyes d’en Gabriel (Darmós)(+34) 977 418 307 / 609 989 345

vinyesdengabriel.comBottles: 40.000 – 45.000.

Wines: L’Heravi, Cuvilar, Mans de Samsó.

Vinyes Domènech (Capçanes)(+34) 670 375 828 / 607 192 820vinyesdomenech.com

Bottles: 55.000.

Wines: Bancal, Furvus, Teixar, La Rita.

19

Consell Regulador de la DO Montsant.

Plaça de la Quartera, 6. 43730 Falset (Spain).

Tel. (+34) 977 83 17 42.

E-mail: info@domontsant.com.

Web: domontsant.com.