5 Reasons to Know the Wines of Spain’s Montsant DO

By Jonathan Cristaldi

In 2002, Montsant, the Falset subzone of Tarragona DO in the Catalonian region of northeastern Spain, was approved as its own DO level.

Since then, a lot of effort has been made on the part of wine writers and critics to explain the style of wines from Montsant DO, and because its neighbor is the better-known Priorat region, it tends to be the de facto comparison.

But that doesn’t do the Montsant DO justice. Consider what Eric Asimov of the New York Times said in a November 2016 wine school column:

“Montsant and Priorat are like Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône Valley of France, in that Gigondas is often thought to be a diminutive and cheaper version of the grander Châteauneuf. But though Gigondas and Châteauneuf have much in common, and are made of a similar set of grapes, the grapes are grown in different soils in different places, and so make different wines, each with its role at the table.

 

“Similarly, Montsant and Priorat are Catalonian neighbors. Both are made historically with the garnacha and cariñena grapes, better known in English as grenache and carignan, though nowadays they are often supplemented with international varieties like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah and tempranillo.

“But as the soils and microclimates of Montsant vary from their neighbor, the wines of Montsant are better understood without the reflex comparison. They are very much their own wines and can be excellent.”

While Spain’s Priorat region produces weighty and powerful reds that are some of the more expensive bottlings in the country, a few miles away in Montsant, winemakers are busy turning out elegant, beautifully perfumed wines that retail for far less than their popular neighbor.  

Below are 5 reasons the Montsant DO warrants the attention of every student of wine.

  1. LOCATION & CLIMATE

One of the best descriptions I’ve read of the region comes from a Decanter article by Andrew Jefford in which he says, “Montsant surrounds Priorat like a bangle around a wrist. Which is to say almost completely; there are just a few kilometers near the Priorat village of Porrera where the circle is not closed.”

It’s proximity to Priorat is one thing, but this DO has been gaining in popularity among locals because it is a cheaper alternative and reds tend to be lighter and more perfumed, a result of its higher elevations. This little pocket of activity in northeastern Spain is one region to keep your eye on—these wines could absolutely end up on a WSET year one day.

This mountainous region is influenced by the Ebro river and Mediterranean sea breezes, making it largely a Mediterranean climate with continental influences. Winters are cold, summers are hot and dry.

  1. THE TERROIR

The “horseshoe” shaped DO is prized for its higher elevations, some areas rising up over 2,200 feet, and incredibly special “llicorella” soils, which are comprised of blue slate and pockets of granite. Vines must root through these fractured soils in search of nutrients. The llicorella unquestionably lends unique qualities to the wines made from vines rooted in them—almost a dark, crushed rock, or liquified rock minerality and berry compote quality.

  1. GRAPES

Producers leverage Grenache and Carignan mainly but also blend in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. Small quantities of white wines are also produced from Chardonnay, Macabeo, and Garnacha Blanca.

  1. PRODUCTION

In the Montsant DO, some 1,900 hectares (close to 4,700 acres) of vineyards are planted, which produces around 5 million bottles annually. This is still a significantly lower number of bottles produced than regions like the RhĂ´ne Valley, which in recent years, has seen 70 million bottles sold through hyper/supermarkets alone, according to the Inter-Rhone. The takeaway is that Montsant DO is a real region of more limited production, discovery wines.

  1. STYLES

Montsant vineyards boast a rich diversity of soils, from pockets of Llicorella to stony, calcareous-infused soils, and the reds are elegant and complex. While Priorat is now home to some of Spain’s most expensive wines, Montsant offers up some of Spain’s most riveting bargains.

Napa Valley Wine Academy’s own Catherine Bugué has visited Montsant DO and in an article originally published in The St. Helena Star, she describes the style as: “Ninety-four percent are red–the heart and soul of Montsant–with Garnacha and Carignan (Garnatxa Negra and Carinyena locally) as the stars. Whether blends or varietal wines, each of these grapes thrives in the summer heat, balancing ripeness and alcohol with a bright freshness that finds a thread through all the wines. Whites are made from white Garnacha (Garnatxa Blanca) and other local grape varieties, the style being rich in texture yet crisp, fruity and mineral-ly.”

For even more detailed information, check out this dossier from the region itself.

SEMINAR: Join Napa Valley Wine Academy on May 10 for Montsant Wine Day.

SHARE

IN-PERSON COURSE & WORKSHOP REFUNDS & TRANSFERS

Cancellations of confirmed in-person course enrollments and workshops are accepted up to 60 days before the start of the course. An administration fee of $50 plus the full cost of the study materials and exam fees will be deducted, and the remainder of the course fee refunded to the payee. Separate WSET exam cancellation/transfer rules apply.
Transfers of a confirmed enrollment to another course are accepted 60 days before the course start date with an administration fee of $50.

Cancellations less than 60 days before the in-person course start date or course no shows forfeit any refund/transfer options unless students can provide medical documentation. If medical documentation is provided, students can be transferred to a later course. No refunds will be applied.

Course Transfers cannot be carried forward to the next academic year (which commenced on January 1).

Students are highly encouraged to purchase separate travel insurance.

You've got this!

Flamingo Hotel Las Vegas

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

February 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

3555 Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

 

You've got this!

Mariott Santa Ynez

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

April 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

555 McMurray Road

Buelton, CA 93427

 

You've got this!

Art Hotel Denver

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

March 5, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Mountain)

at

1201 Broadway

Denver, CO 80203

 

You've got this!

Aloft Nashville

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

February 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Central)

at 

1719 West End Ave.

Nashville, TN 37203

 

You've got this!

Epicurean Hotel

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

March 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Eastern)

at

1207 S Howard Ave,

Tampa, FL 33606

 

You've got this!

Street View of HQ

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

January 22, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

2501 Oak Street

Napa, CA 94559

 

Search

[]