Catalonia has a wine richness that can be seen in the 11 appellations of origin, hereinafter, DO that exist in an Autonomous Community that makes up 25% of the wine production in Spain. And it is that already from the time of the Greeks the vine and the wine were an important part in the Catalan agri-food sector.
In fact, one of the most famous Catalan wines are the DO Emporda wines. Empordà is the official name of an area known in Spanish as Ampurdán that ranges from the Sierra de Rodas to the Garrotxa de Empordà. This place has very particular and changing climatic conditions since the climate is hot and humid at the same time, this is noticed by the tramontana wind that greatly affects the cultivation of the wine and the so special flavor of DO Empordá Wines.
Different varieties of DO Empordà wines
Each filtering bag Empordà designation of origin wines They have a long historical tradition since the area is considered as the gateway to the Greeks who were the first to grow wine in Spain. Of the 11 DOs existing in Catalonia, DO Empordà wines they are one of the oldest denominations. The area encompasses 55 municipalities and is in the northwestern part of Catalonia with an average annual production of about 65.000 hectoliters of wine.
Of this annual production, the most predominant wines are of the Garnacha or Garnatxa variety. Although the red and white garnatxa varieties stand out, there are plenty of whites such as Muscat of Alexandria or Macabeu such as Espolla Blanc Sec, a young white wine with a very soft but refreshing flavor.
DO Empordá Wines can be found for sale in your wine and liquor store favorite. There are several classes, including the following:
- White, they are fresh and tasty wines, as a general rule with native varieties, but there are also wines of a single variety and of great quality.
- Rosés with a touch and flavor of cherry very characteristic of the area and an average graduation to be rosés.
- The uniqueness of the area are the DO Empordà wines, Garnatxa de l’Empordà, a kind of warm and silky natural sweet wine ideal for desserts like moscatell.
- Also noteworthy are reds, sweet wines, sparkling wines, and reds with barrels.
- Finally, it is mandatory to talk about organic wines such as mistelas or overripe grape wines. Of course, remember that they have a fairly high graduation.
In short, the Empordà designation of origin wines both reds and whites have great quality, body and are very harmonious, making them ideal to drink on any occasion. One tip, do not forget to book in your wine and liquor store a couple of bottles to give to your friends or simply to drink with your loved ones this Christmas. And if you try these Catalan wines, you will surely repeat!