Emporda Wine Region
Emporda is the most northern wine district in Catalonia
From the 6th century BC wines were produced in the Greek city Empúries. From the Middle Ages the monasteries in Catalonia began producing wines in the area. Historical sources tell us that friar Ramon Pere de Noves from Sant Pere de Rodes was famous for his wines.
Location and climate
Empordà is located in the northeastern end of Catalonia (in the province of Girona) between the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the Pyrenees to the north. The climate is influenced by the strong winds from north that can reach up to 120 km/hour. Winters are mild and summers hot in this area. The average rainfall is 600 mm annually.
The grape varieties
Wines have been produced in Emporda for more than 2000 years, and the grapes are today a mix of local grapes and and international grapes, imported from France. In total 35 grape varieties are recognized for the wine production in Emporda.
Red grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Grenache peludo
- Garnacha
- Merlot
- Monastrell
- Petit Verdot
- black picapoll
- Pinot noir
- Samso (Cariñena)
- Sumoll
- Syrah
- Ull de llebre (Tempranillo)
- Trepat
White grapes
- Albarinho
- Chardonnay
- Chenin
- white Garnacha
- Gewurztraminer
- Macabeu
- Malvasia
- Malvasia the Sitges
- Muscat (Alexandria and Frontignan)
- Parellada
- Pedro Ximénez
- Picapoll blanc
- Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Blanc sumoll
- Xarel.lo
- Viognier
- Vinyater
Characteristics of wines from Emporda
Red Wines
Generally, rich and harmonious wine quality.
White Wines
The white wines are mostly made of Macabeo. The wines made from Chardonnay normally are stronger and have more character.
Important wineries in Emporda
- Castillo de Perelada. Founded by Miguel Mateu Pla and later led by Arturo Suqué. Today the director is Javier Suqué Mateu. The best wines of this wine cellar: Castillo Perelada Chardonnay (White wine), Castillo Perelada La Garriga (White wine), Castillo Perelada Garnacha Blanca (White wine), Castillo Perelada Blanc de Blancs (White wine), Castillo Perelada Sauvignon Blanc (White wine), Castillo Perelada Finca Espolla (Red wine), Castillo Perelada Finca Malaveina (Red wine), Castillo de Perelada Ex Ex 8 (Red wine), Castillo de Perelada 5 Fincas Reserva (Red wine), Finca Garbet (Red wine), Gran Claustro de Castillo Perelada (Red wine), Castillo Perelada Garnatxa de L’Empordà.
- Celler Arché Pagés. The best wines of this wine cellar: Cartesius (Red wine), Bonfill (Red wine) and Sàtirs (Red wine).
- Celler Can Sais. The best wines of this wine cellar: Can Sais Gregal (Rose), Can Sais Temptació (Red wine), Can Sais Privilegi Tinto Dulce, Can Sais Encanteri (White wine) and Can Sais Sum (Red wine).
- Celler María Pagès. The best wines of this wine cellar: Celler María Pagès Garnacha Reserva (White wine), Celler María Pagès Moscat (White wine), Serrasagué Vinya de Hort (White wine) and Serrasagué Rosa (Rose).
- Celler Martí Fabra. The best wines of this wine cellar: Masía Carreras (White wine fermented in barrel), Verd Albera (White wine), Flor d’Albera (White wine fermented in barrel), Masía Can Carreras Moscat (White wine), Martí Fabra Selecció Vinyes Velles (Red wine) and Masía Carreras Negre (Red wine).
- Cooperativa Agrícola de Garriguella. The best wines of this wine cellar: Garriguella Novell (Red wine), Puntils (White wine), Puntils (Rose), Dinarells (White wine), Dinarells Negre (Red wine), Puntils (Red wine) and Dolç de Gerisena Vino de Licor (Wine liquor).
- Espelt Viticultors. The best wines of this wine cellar: Espelt Mareny (White wine), Terramala (White wine), Espelt Quinze Roures (White wine fermented in barrel), Terramala Vinyes Velles (Red wine), Espelt Comabruna (Red wine), Espelt Terres Negres (Red wine) and Kasumi (Red wine).
- Lavinyeta. The best wines of this wine cellar: Heus (Red wine), Heus Blanc (White wine), Heus Rosat (Rose), Llavors (Red wine), Puntiapart (Red wine) and Sols Dulce.
- Mas Estela. The best wines of this wine cellar: Estela Dolç Solera (White wine), Quindals (Red wine), Vi de Lluna (Red wine), Vinya Selva de Mar (Red wine) and Mas Estela Moscatell Blanco Dulce.
- Mas Llunes. The best wines of this wine cellar: Rhodes (Red wine), Maragda (Rosé), Nivia (White wine fermented in barrel), Cercium (Red wine) and Empórion (Red wine).
- Mas Oller. The best wines of this wine cellar: Mas Oller (White wine), Mas Oller Pur (Red wine), Mas Oller Blau (Red wine), Mas Oller Plus (Red wine) and Mas Oller (Rose).
- Masia Serra. The best wines of this wine cellar: Gneis (Red wine), Ctònia (White wine fermented in barrel), IO Masia Serra (Red wine), INO Garnatxa de l’Empordà Vino Dulce Natural.
- Oliver Conti. The best wines of this wine cellar: Oliver Conti Treyu (White wine), Oliver Conti Barrica (White wine), Oliver Conti (White wine), Oliver Conti Carlota (Red wine), Oliver Conti Ara (Red wine), Oliver Conti Turó Negre (Red wine) and Oliver Conti (Red wine reserva).
- Pere Guardiola S.L. The best wines of this wine cellar: Joncaria Merlot (Reserva red wine), Floresta (Crianza red wine), Floresta (Rose), Torre de Capmany Garnatxa d’Empordà Vino Dulce Natural Gran Reserva and Torre de Capmany Moscatel (White wine).
- Roig Parals. The best wines of this wine cellar: Camí de Cormes (Red wine), La Botera (Red wine) and Roig Parals (Red wine).
- Vinícola del Nordest. The best wines of this wine cellar: Anubis Moscatel de L’Empordà (White wine), Anubis Garnatxa de L’Empordà Dulce Natural Gran Reserva and Garrigal (Crianza red wine).
- Vinya Ivo. The best wines of this wine cellar: S’Alqueria (Red wine).
- Vinyas d’ Olivardots. The best wines of this wine cellar: Gresa Expressió (Red wine).
Details and numbers
- Vineyards: 1.826 Hectares
- Number of wine cellars: 46
- Production: 63.067 hecto liters. 60% red wine, 17% rose wine, 19% white wine, 4% dessert wine (Garnacha and Moscatel).
- Sale in Spain vs. export: 89% sold in Spain, 11% exported. Most important export countries: Germany, Switzerland, USA, Holland, Norway, Great Britain, Belgium and Denmark.
