 This
is one of the regions with considerable promise at the moment. There are a number
of consolidated cellars (including big names like Castillo de Perelada) and
a few exciting new producers. Masia Serra and Mas Estela (who produce organic
wines) produce modern wines largely based on traditional grape varieties. Oliver
Conti, one of the most recent additions to the area, enjoy the same soil characteristics,
but have chosen to work with Cabernet, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurtzraminer
grape varieties.
| Vineyard area: |
2600 Hectares |
| Authorised Production: |
7000kg per hectare |
| Soil types: |
Mostly sandy, alluvial soils, with very little limestone.
In general the soil is poor, but well drained and appropriate for vines. |
| Authorised varieties: |
Whites: Macabeu, Garnatxa Blanca, Chardonnay
Reds: Carinyena, Garnatxa, Ull de Llebre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. |
| Annual sunshine: |
2400 hours |
| Annual rainfall: |
500 - 600mm |
| Average temperature: |
15-16 ēC |
| Wine types: |
Production is 70% Rosé wines |
| Notes: |
Winters with hardly any frost, warm summers tempered by
sea breezes. The coastal areas tend to have slightly higher temperatures
than the inland vineyards. The most significant distinguishing factor of
the Empordā climate is the Tremontana, a north wind particularly strong
in the winter. |
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