Alt Emporda wines

Wine Region Costa Brava North

Greeks cultivated wine in the Costa Brava, so the region has a long tradition. The vineyards in the foothills of the Pyrenees give the landscape a very sweet character. There was a time when cheap wines were produced, but the new generation of winemakers put an end to this era.  They strive to produce wines with character and exceptional quality, and their efforts show. They already make good wines that are internationally recognized. This region offers all possibilities for a good wine, due to the mild climate and arid soil of granite, slate and sand.

The "wine route" part in the Languedoc-Roussilon in France, it sneaks through Spain in Portbou, along the coast, and continues to Bascara, Llança, Port de la Selva, and continues until Roses . Then it goes to Palau saverdera, Pau, Vilajuiga, Garriguella, Espelt, Rabós to Sant Climent de Sescebes, where, according to the results of ‘Parker’ it  has created one of the best wines in the world. What we found so characteristic of the wines of northern Spain is that it very usual to drink a glass without eating something, despite being a very heavy wine with a relatively high percentage of alcohol.

Winemakers are often linked to cooperatives, which produce wine for them, but there are also some family wineries. The wineries are identified by colored tiles on the walls. A good way to know the wines and the area is by making a tour of their cellars with their vines. There are also often wine and cheese markets in different villages, where for a small fee, you can go tasting. In September, many winemakers come together at the wine fair "Mostra del vi de l'Empordà" on the Ramblas of Figueres. There are over 25 wineries and you get to try their products here. In the spring you can go to the "Fira Roots of vi" in Sant Martí d'Empúries.

The most typical wines are sparkling champagne and pink. Traditional desserts are also made with sweet wines. The name for this region, Vi Novell, is a young and tasty wine that is sold from November.

Places which undoubtedly you must visit if you are a lover of good wine:

Perelada
In the Bodega del Castillo de Peralada they have made wine for centuries. You can make a tour of the cellar and vineyard. It produces cava and red wine, using local grape varieties such as Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Merlot. It is the largest and best-known wine region.

Capmany
Capmany , with its nine wineries, is really a wine village. It's the most northern wine region of Spain. The largest winery is Grup Oliveda, here the wines come under the name Rigau y Mas Ros Oliveda.

•Vilajuïga
The fermentation of wines here happen in the basement. Surrounding wine producers deliver their grapes to the cooperative Empordàlia. In this village it’s bottled water is distributed to different restaurants.

•Espelt, Vilajuïga and Pau
Espelt Vitcultors is an innovative Winery founded in 2000 by the family Espelt wine. The wine labels were designed by the renowned Spanish designer Javier Mariscal. The label of the red wine red Saulo, representing a viticultor who is working in the vineyards, and that is exactly what has been done by the family Espelt for the last 50 years. They have 200 hectares of vineyards and produce a wide range of quality wines.

•Garriguella
In the Agricultural cooperative of Garriguella you can still see the process of how grapes from producers in the area are baked in old concrete ovens. Aside from that, they also use new stainless steel facilities.