Montsant is quite similar to the famous Priorat region of Spain both culturally and historically. LOCATION -Located in northeastern Spain, not far from the Catalan capitol of Barcelona, the region lies just to the west of the Priorat and shares the same hilly, rocky landscape. Montsant was recently granted their own official DO (Denominacion de Origen) status as a wine region in 2001. TERROIR - The 2,100 acres of this region encircles the Priorat region and is just a few hours southwest of Barcelona. The terroir of Montsant is quite rugged and stony with hand carved terraces that climb the steep mountainsides. ALTITUDE - The vineyard parcels in Montsant are planted 300 and 700 meters above sea level. Being so close to the sea, the CLIMATE is Mediterranean and is very warm with moderate amounts of rainfall. The soil in the lower altitudes is rich and fertile, whereas the soil in the northern altitudes is very poor, with high levels of slate and granite. The vineyards in the higher altitude are terraced with many old vines that take on the minerally stony qualities of the soil in the grapes. As in the neighboring Priorat region, the best wines are red. These wines are generally very concentrated with deep color and because of the rainfall and warm climate have a high alcohol content. GRAPES - The traditional grapes of Montsant include Garnacha, Syrah and Carignane.
