Wines Priorat Costers del Priorat - Petit Pissarres - 2020

Costers del Priorat’s 2020 Cuvée Petit Pissarres is an intriguing red wine from the heart of Priorat, one of Spain’s most iconic and characterful appellations. While the precise blend remains subject to the house style, reds from this region are typically shaped from a thoughtful mix of local and international varieties, such as Garnacha (Grenache), Cariñena (Carignan), and sometimes Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon. These grapes thrive on the region’s rugged slate soils and under a sun-soaked Mediterranean climate, producing robust and deeply coloured wines. For the 2020 vintage, expect a youthful vibrancy, with primary notes of dark berries, ripe plum and subtle hints of Mediterranean herbs or spice, supported by a firm yet polished structure owing to careful vinification.

Priorat, nestled in Catalonia’s hill country, is famed for its steep terraced vineyards and unique llicorella soils—a brittle slate mixed with quartz—that endow the wines with both power and a signature mineral edge. The arid climate, significant diurnal temperature variations, and limited yields combine to create complex, concentrated reds capable of impressive ageing. The history of winemaking here stretches back to the Middle Ages, with modern revival in recent decades bringing international recognition for the depth and authenticity of its wines.

A wine like Costers del Priorat 2020 is best enjoyed with hearty fare that matches its richness and intensity. Catalan cuisine offers some natural pairings: think slow-cooked lamb with rosemary, grilled beef, or traditional botifarra sausage with white beans. The wine also responds beautifully to aged Manchego cheese or earthy mushroom-based dishes. Vegetarians might try pairings with roasted aubergines and red peppers in olive oil.

For the optimal tasting experience, decant the wine for at least an hour to allow it to open up, then serve at 16–18°C. This will best express its aromatic complexity, velvety texture, and balanced structure. Enjoy watching it evolve in the glass, particularly if savoured alongside a convivial meal.