Serve in a Zinfandel Wine Glass
Priorat is a red wine from northeastern Spain produced from several grapes; while Garnacha Tinta is the principal variety, it can also include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and/or Syrah, and even white varieties such as Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo.
There are various levels of Priorat with the youngest being criança (aged for at least 6 months in oak barrels and then 18 months in the bottle), followed by reserva (12 months in oak, 24 months in bottle and finally Gran Reserva (24 months in barrel, 36 months in bottle). Aging ability and richness of a Priorat wine will depend on these categories, but in general, these are ripe reds with bright berry fruit, zesty tannins and subtle spice. Pair these with most red meats, especially beef served with mushrooms, while simple empanadas work well with the lighter versions. Thanks to excellent reviews from several influential wine publications, Priorat wines are now much in demand, with the most famous examples priced in the $50-$75 range on American retail shelves.