Vi de Vila Porrera is made from Carinyena (70%) and Garnatxa (Garnacha) which are sourced from 22 different vineyards (7-60 year old vines) around the village of Porrera. All grapes are handpicked in baskets of max. 12 kg. to avoid jamming during transport. The grape varieties are vinified separately. Both are de-stemmed and gently masticated before undergoing fermentation for 20-30 days (approx. 30ºC) in open tanks with constant stirring to provide good oxygenation. Finally, the wine is matured for 12 months in new and 1-year-old oak barrels from Allier in France (225 l.) and also 2 years in bottle before release.
Vi de Vila Porrera has a beautiful, deep and dark ruby color, and in the aroma it offers immediate, spicy and exotic nuances that indicate a very complex, sweet but at the same time structured wine. The taste is very endearing, fruity and crisp with notes of dark cherries, licorice and a bit of vanilla. In the aftertaste, the wine is incredibly charming with spicy and at the same time round and fruity notes. Despite its power and youth, it is a wine that is delightful to drink young.
It will e.g. dress veal, beef or stewed dishes with lamb or pork – preferably with tomatoes, red pepper and herbs.
The wine cooperative Cooperativa Agricole de Porrera, which produces this wine, is located in the town of Porrera on the river Cortiella in the southeast of Priorat. The cooperative itself was founded in 1932, but the vineyards are considerably older. In this area, the vines share land with almond and hazelnut trees. For many years, Porrera has had the status of a top producer, especially after two of the area’s wine pioneers, Josep Lluis Perez and his daughter, became associated with the site and understood how to exploit the full potential of the vineyards (approx. 60 ha).
Porrera was bought a few years ago by Castillo Perelada – a famous producer of both wines (in DO Empordà -Costa Brava and in Priorat (La Casa Gran)) and cava (in Penedès). The collaboration between the two companies and the Perez family, all of whom are used to working with wines of extremely high quality, has already borne fruit. For example, many of the ancient, abandoned vineyards are located at an altitude of 350-600 m.a.s.l. been restored or replanted, much to the delight of the local growers who supply the grapes to Porrera. This has meant a huge renaissance for the village and its surroundings and given new hope for the future generation of wine growers. Cooperativa Agricole de Porrera produces, among other things, the series Cims de Porrera and Vi de Vila Porrera.
