The province of Girona is one of the main gastronomic and wine enotourism destinations in the country. The Empordà area, in the north of the province, is distinguished with the Denomination of Origin (DO) Empordà seal quality for its red, white and rosé wines, besides the varieties such as Grenache.
L'Empordà is in the extreme north-east of Catalonia, in the province of Girona. It borders to the north with the Albera, the eastern part of the Pyrenean Mountain Range, and to the east with the Mediterranean Sea. Currently, Empordà is divided into two regions, Alt Empordà and Baix Empordà.
It is an area of great beauty, with protected natural areas contrasting landscapes where the sea and the mountains meet, a coastline with spectacular beaches and coves and a great historical and cultural heritage.
The Greek colony of Empuries (Emporion) is considered the entrance where vine cultivation was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula in the 6th century BC. In fact, the Empordà territory takes its name from this Greek colony.
There is archaeological and documentary evidence that, four centuries later, the Emporion territory wines were known in the markets, in other provinces of the Roman Empire and in the metropolis.
During the 18th and 19th centuries there was an important growth in the vineyard cultivation area. This prosperous period for the Empordà wines ended in 1879 with the plague of phylloxera.
The winery cooperative movement at the beginning of the 19th century opens a new stage that allows us to join efforts to improve the quality of the wine production process, which is beginning to be known and appreciated in many markets.
The Empordà enjoys privileged geoclimatic conditions thanks to the proximity of the Mediterranean and the extraordinary heterogeneity of its soils.
It is distinguished for the quality of its wines with the Denomination of Origin (DO) Empordà seal, which covers the wine region from Albera to the Rodes mountain range and La Garrotxa d'Empordà.
The DO Empordà vineyards are found in calcareous soils, ranging from sea level to 200 meters of altitude, where there is a typically Mediterranean climate: warm, humid and cooled because of the tramontana (north wind).
The DO Empordà vineyards have vines over 30 years old, which is very positive for the final product quality, since it is considered that old vineyards produce a high wine quality.
According to the Regulatory Board of the Emporda Denomination of Origin, red wines have a high quality, are full-bodied, well-formed and harmonious, they present characteristic aromatic notes and they are tasty and pleasant on the palate; while while wines are fresh and tasty, produced with high-quality autochthonous or monovarietal and rosé wines, have a clear cherry colour, a great personality and a delicate aroma.
Grenache is very popular in the Empordà area, a natural sweet wine with the same name is produce, considered an exceptional dessert wine, along with Moscatel, another sweet wine typical of this area. Other Empordà wines to consider are organic wines, mistelle, overripe grape wines and sparkling wines.
As for red wine, traditional varieties such as Cariñena or Cinsaut and Red Grenache (also called "Lledoner") dominate. These are combined with new varieties such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.
As for the white varieties, the white and red Grenache and Macabeo dominate. We can also find Moscatel, Xarelo and new varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Gewurztraminer.
If you want to live unique experiences related to the wine world, don't miss the DO Empordà Wine Route. Coordinated by the Costa Brava Tourist Board with the participation of the Regulatory Board of the Empordà Denomination of Origin, this route aims to promote the Empordà as a wine tourism destination locally and internationally.
This route includes visits to wineries, meals among vineyards, stays in wineries located in natural settings, wine therapy treatments and museums of gastronomic and winery interest, among many other activities.
If you want more information about the DO Empordà Wine Route, you can visit the website of the Costa Brava Tourist Board.
If you want to enjoy a getaway to the lands where the Empordà Denomination of Origin wines are grown, discover the adults-only hotels of Rosamar Hotels, in Lloret de Mar.
Hotel Rosamar Maxim Adults Only +21 is an adults-only hotel located in an unbeatable environment, the Sa Caleta beach. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool (covered and heated in low season) and a panoramic terrace with spectacular sea views. Discover all the services offered by the Rosamar Maxim hotel and enjoy a relaxing stay in Lloret de Mar.
Hotel Rosamar Es Blau Adults Only +21 is an adults-only hotel located just 100 meters from Lloret de Mar beach. It has its own spa, equipped with an indoor heated pool, sauna, Hammam, hydromassage pool and a relaxation area with thermal loungers and showers, a free service only for those customers who have booked through our website.
Enjoy the Costa Brava with Rosamar Hotels!