Nature of Paleozoic Basement of the Catalan Coastal Ranges (Spain) and Tectonic Setting of the Priorat DOQ Wine Terroir: Evidence from Volcanic and Sedimentary Rocks

The Paleozoic volcano-sedimentary rocks within the structural basement of horst-and-graben system Catalan Coastal Ranges (CCR) are composed black shale, volcaniclastic sediments, lava flows, sills and lithocrystalloclastic tuffs. sediments depleted in high-field strength elements (HFSE) such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf Ti, suggesting their accumulation Andean-type active continental margin environment. Volcanic CCR sequence belong to shoshonitic high-K volcanic series enriched Cs, Rb Ba HFSE, which is consistent with derivation from metasomatized (possibly through deep recycling pelagic sediments) subduction-related mantle source. presence (sill-sediment complex) suggests that was formed rifted or an arc-back-arc basin akin modern Western Pacific subduction configuration. This complex terroir hosts world-class wines Priorat DOQ region. framboidal pyrite magnetite, siderite, sphalerite xenotime, (La–Ce–Nd)-monazite, zircon baddeleyite, well cuprite, tenorite cupriferous native silver volcanic-derived shale (and consequently world-famous “llicorella” soil overlying it) may have had dramatic effects on wine quality sensory characteristics. These mineral features, together strong enrichment Au, Ag and, a lesser extent, Pt could pronounced (1) rates specific types chemical reactions; (2) plant metabolism; (3) response nutrient components (4) determination grape flavor. terroirs, region, special geologic environments for growth, capable producing unique aromatic gustatory