Empordà

Spain · DO (PDO) · Cataluña · 1 commune(s)

Styles

Natural factors

The majority of the vineyards are planted on poor, light soils that provide good drainage and are acidic to neutral in nature.
The soils derive from coarse-grained sedimentary rocks — conglomerates and sandstones — formed in the late Tertiary (Neogene), with intercalations of fine-grained layers.
These soils correspond to the infill of the Empordà graben, with gentle relief and locally weathered horizons.
The vineyards are on calcareous soils ranging from sea level up to 200 metres in altitude, with a Mediterranean climate, warm and humid, cooled by the Tramontana wind. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
The production area of the appellation is divided into two sub-zones: 35 municipalities in the north of the Alt Empordà and 13 municipalities in the east of the Baix Empordà. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Human factors

The Garnacha wines of Empordà are mentioned in written records dating back to the medieval period and are made from low-yielding old vines.
The wine is generally aged by the solera system, and since the 1970s the lightly sparkling wines produced in the area have been highly prized by visitors to the region.
The Garnacha wine of Ampurdán is a traditional liqueur wine made with a minimum of 90% Garnacha using the straw-wine technique, whereby the grapes are left to dry on straw before pressing. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Product characteristics

Excellent young whites, rosés, and reds are produced — fruity and fresh, with a good balance between acidity and overall harmony.
Still wines, base wines for quality sparkling wines, and lightly sparkling wines produced on the flatland soils tend to be lighter in style.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (pliego de condiciones).

About this boundary

Area: the official MAPA production zone (Zonas de Calidad Diferenciada: Vinos).