Emporda Costa Brava - Côtes-du-Rhône

The Ampurdán-Costa Brava (Catalan: Empordà-Costa Brava) vineyards are located in the far northeast corner of Spain, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the east and France to the north. The vineyards border the French Appellations Contrôlées Banyuls and Côtes du Roussillon, which were both part of the greater Cataluña in the past and where the language and cuisine are now very Catalan.

History

Like Penedés, Ampurdán-Costa Brava produced heavy 'rancios' and sweet wines, which were very popular here before World War II. Since then, farmers have turned their attention to market demand. The result was a better application of cloning and new fermentation technology. As always, the smaller bodegas also took the first steps towards new technology here and the cooperatives followed. This may be due to the complex decision-making procedures at cooperatives.

Geography and Geology

Here the Pyrenees flow into the sea and the vineyards run from 200 m above sea level to sea level. The bottom is brown, well drained and with a reasonable amount of limestone.

Climate

Mediterranean, with influences from humid winds from the south and cold winds from the north, especially the 'Tramontana', which can reach wind force 12. The average temperature in the interior is 15ºC, on the coast it is 16.2ºC. The coldest winter temperatures are around -1.5ºC and in the summer the mercury rises to a maximum of 29ºC. There is 600 to 700 mm of rain per year and the sun shines for about 2,400 hours.

Grapes and winemaking

The most important grape is the Cariñena (67% of the vineyard), which is mainly used in the production of Ampurdan-Costa Brava's rosados (about 70% of the total). The other allowed grape is Garnacha tinta (26%). Allowed white grapes are macabeo (4%) and Garnacha blanca. There are many experiments. Cabernet Sauvignon and Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo) are officially authorized by the Consejo. For example, on a vineyard near Perelada are Syrah, Chenin, Riesling, Muscat and Gewürztraminer, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Macabeo, Chardonnay, Parellada and Xarel.Lo.

Wines

The most produced wine in Ampurdán-Costa Brava is rosado (11.5 to 13.5%), made from garnacha, sometimes with the addition of Cariñena. The white wines (11 to 13.5%) are made from white grapes, but also from Garnacha (and sometimes Cariñena,) which are then vinified as white wine (so without soaking the skins) and mixed with a small amount of white grapes. They are wines with a lot of 'body'. Among the best wines of this area can be counted: Finca Garbet, Perelada Gran Claustro, Perelada Ex-Ex, Perelada Finca Malaveina, Mas Oller, Oliver Conti and Perelada Chardonnay.