Terra Alta

Terra Alta means “high land”. Bordering the inland section of Tarragona, this region has peaks reaching a height of 3000ft (950m). Interestingly, Terra Alta is known to have been a popular holiday spot for the young Pablo Picasso. The vineyards are, however located down in the foothills and on the valley floors. Terra Alta was awarded DO status in 1985 although there was a change to the list of permitted grape varieties in 1995 to allow winemakers to use a wider variety of grapes in blended wines. The region specializes in the Garnacha Blanca grape which produces wonderful white wines, along with Macabeo, Parellada, Moscatel and Chadonnay. Red wine varieties include, Garnacha Tinta and Carinena (called Samsó locally), as well as Garnacha Peluda, Morenillo, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fortified “mistela” wines and dry “rancios” wines are made from grapes over-ripened by autumn’s “cerç” are also unique specialties of the region.