Wine battle: Priorat vs Priorat

Two wines head to head – both are Spanish wines from Priorat, a mountainous region in the heart of Catalunya, just down the coast from Barcelona. Both are red blends containing the Caringnan grape, which lends a floral aroma and taste. The contenders:

Mas Martinet Viticultors
2012 Martinet Bru – $30
40% Syrah
26.5% Carignan
17% Merlot
10.5% Grenache
6% Cabernet Sauvignon
Ecologically produced, 14% alcohol


Celler Burgos Porta
2010 Mas Sinén Coster – $70
50% Grenache
50% Carignan
Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 15% alcohol

Mas Sinén takes its name from a village in the Priorat growing region.



Color – Both wines are rosy purple in the glass, with the Martinet Bru just a half shade darker.

Aroma – The Martinet Bru is like ripe plums with a fragrance of mountain laurel blossoms. The Mas Sinén smells of wet clay and bark mulch.

Taste – The Martinet Bru leans slightly toward sour, evoking caramelized pork rind and a mad chef's concoction of a pomegranate mustard glaze. The Mas Sinén leans toward bitter, evoking mature arugula, daikon (Chinese white radish), and pepper rub; it also has more grit in the mouth.

Pairings – The Martinet Bru encourages bold, hearty flavors. Try it with steak fajitas, lime rice and a side of pickled beets. Treat the Mas Sinén like an arugula salad: temper it with fruit, nuts and cheese. Try a fiery hot lamb vindaloo, served with cashew and raisin biryani and a side slab of smoky Idiazábal.

The winner – Martinet Bru for friendlier price and easier pairing.