Fall into a taste of Priorat

Year 14, No. 19

Highlights: Tasta Porrera, Priorat 2024 | DO Tarragona 2024

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Greetings to all and greetings to fall!

That lovely, chilly nip in the air has slithered its way into these shorter days all of the sudden. It’s thankfully been joined by some much needed rain, albeit in parts of Eastern Spain they’re seen far too much and our hearts go out to the people who continue to be affected by the flooding that came to pass in Valencia.

While the sheer quantity of water is in some ways, terrifying, the cold is not that much of a surprise and is to be expected given that this is the time of year when the pigs would be butchered traditionally as in the days when there was no refrigeration, the meat is less prone to spoiling.

And while Beaujolais found all its double-edged glory in the ‘Nouveau’ wines of yore, in Spain you also find these very new wines released, apparently to be paired with freshly-slaughtered pig?

But a key event that happens in the Priorat region this time of year is Tasta Porrera. It’s a great celebration of the more than two dozen wineries and projects that call this small village home, with a party that lasts far, far into the night.

Given the unpredictable weather in recent years, it’s rather important to ask, how do you know if it’s a good vintage from DOQ Priorat? The answer is a great deal simpler than you might think and here’s a guide to understand it.

Additionally, we’re playing a bit of catch up here in terms of regular newsletter releases (the US elections were clearly going to suck all the air out of the room for awhile) so there’s also the bonus DO Tarragona Report to read as well.

On that note, if you happen to be looking for something to watch for a distraction, do look at this review of Widow Clicquot. (*)

And of course, with American Thanksgiving (yes, hi there Canada!) a scant two weeks away, it’s always important to review the definitive wine guide (*) to the event.

Drink well, be well.

-Miquel

(*) Free to read