The Land of Wine and Surrealism Art
Let's start with the fact that the trip to Costa Brava was included in National Geographic's selection of the best trips on the planet in 2012. The Empordà wine route, a treasure of Catalonia, passes through here. The Empordá D. O. Wine Route has been promoted by the Costa Brava-Girona Tourist Board in collaboration with the Regulatory Council.
The efforts of the public and private sectors have been united on this route to give an exceptional wine tourism experience that is complemented by cultural events and active tourist experiences. All that allows you to learn about the region's uniqueness.
Let's take a journey through this area of breathtaking natural beauty with rich historical and cultural heritage to get to know the Empordà wine route and where to enjoy them.
Empordà D. O. - The Pearl of Northeastern Catalonia
The Empordà wine region is located in northeastern Catalonia, bounded by the Pyrenees to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Since 1975, the wines of Empordà have been designated as having their own Designation of Origin (DO). The Empordà Valley's unique soil qualities, the union of the sea and the mountains, strong Tramontana winds, and 30-year-old vines give a distinct character and personality to wines. The area's winter is warm, summers are long and hot, with pleasant sea breezes. All of this contributes to optimum viticulture conditions. The valley has an average annual temperature of 14-16 °C, a precipitation rate of roughly 600 mm per year, and many sunny days. Wine tourism flourishes all year round thanks to the favorable climate.
Emporda is Salvador Dalí's birthplace, where the great artist found inspiration. Girona is also a unique foodie's paradise. It is the region where Ferran Adrià, with his restaurant El Bulli, and the Roca brothers reinvented the world's cuisine, and where culinary innovation continues on a stellar level at the 13 restaurants boasting a total of 18 Michelin stars.
Tramontana — the most powerful north wind created by terrain and weather conditions. Tramontana has the effect of drying berries on the vine, resulting in a wine that is in between botrytized and Amarone wines.
“The large number of madmen and geniuses that our world gives birth to is primarily associated with tramontana,” - Salvador Dalí.
Grape Varieties and Wines along the Empordà Wine Route
Empordà wines are burdened by tradition and history. According to ancient accounts, the wines of this region were recognized and admired across the Roman Empire. The Mediterranean coast, which is popular with tourists from all over the world, has a lot to offer in terms of wine. There’s cava, traditional sparkling wine, special non-fortified sweet mistille wine, rose, as well as all varieties of red and white wines.
The Empordà Valley's wine culture is based on a specific collection of varieties, the majority of which are the Carignan and Garnacha Tinta varieties (Lledoner Negre). Sometimes traditional grape varieties are blended with international ones like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
The most popular white wines of Empordà wine region are Garnacha Blanca and Garnacha Roja, a very old traditional variety in Empordà. The fruity Xarel-lo wines, as well as the recently introduced Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are also featured in the region.
The natural sweet wine made with the native variety Garnacha del Empordà is one of the wines that distinguish the region. It is sometimes complemented by Muscat del Empordà, the other sweet wine that you should not miss on your trip through the Empordà Wine Route.
What to do in Empordà Wine Route?
The Empordà wine region is an ideal location for combining food and landscape, wine and adventure, heritage and oenology.
Numerous unique experiences, such as staged excursions to wineries and vineyards, tastings by the sea, or the opportunity to see firsthand the harvest and traditional winemaking processes, also include the wine tourism package. Not to mention the oenological centers and museums, which are full of creative ways to approach wine culture.
Wine tourism in Empordà is supported by cultural festivals such as the Sounds of the World Festival and the Vivid Wine Festival. In addition to wine tastings of the Empordà, you may enjoy events related to wine culture that take place throughout the month of April during this festival.
In September, you can enjoy the traditional Harvest Festival, which is celebrated on an annual nomadic basis in the many towns that comprise the D. O. Empordà.
Where to go? Explore the Empordà Wine Route
Girona, Extremely Compact And Cozy City
Monuments and sites from several cultures and epochs were able to accommodate in a tiny historical center: Roman Empire defenses and a wall, medieval buildings with a Gothic cathedral, and the rustic yet unique architecture of the Jewish Quarter. All the sights work in perfect harmony with one another, forming a single whole.
Girona's two-thousand-year history will not take long to learn about; an entire is all that is required. There aren't as many tourists here as there are in Barcelona. There's no muss, no fuss, and no need to take public transportation; just leisurely strolls around the city's ancient streets.
Figueres, A Birthplace of Salvador Dalí
Figueres is a charming Spanish town on the border with France that was glorified by the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, who was born here and did a lot for his homeland. The museum, created by the master's imagination, is one of the most visited places in Spain. The Castle of San Ferran, Monturiol Street, the fascinating toy Museum, the Museum of Empordà — all these are symbolic places of the city that are worth paying your attention to.
Natural Park Aiguamolls de l’Empordà
This picturesque Parque Natural delsAiguamolls de l'Empordà, one of the most important natural areas of the Iberian Peninsula, stretches from the Sierra de Rodes to the mouth of the river Fluvià Vell.
The Natural Park Aiguamolls de l'Empordà is an excellent example of Mediterranean coastal wetlands; it is Catalonia's second largest wetland area. The park features 5 recognized hiking trails, a bicycle trail, and a literary itinerary.
The Natural Park Aiguamolls Empordà provides a pleasant, cultural, enlightening, and enjoyable experience for tourists of all ages. A great spot to rest and relax.
What to eat in Empordà?
The combination of sea and mountains is the signature of Emporda’s cuisine, a blend of the region's culinary methods and character. A cuisine with depth and its own individuality; not just a way of eating and drinking, but a way of living. All restaurants have one thing in common: they only use locally sourced, eco-friendly products.
Local dishes such as fish "Suquet" (juicy fish stew), goose with turnips, Empordà "brunyols" (a sweet dessert), anchovies from L'Escala, freshly pressed olive oil of the region, and sweet sausages will definitely give you an exceptional culinary experience.
All of these traits combine to make the Empordà a hospitable region eager to welcome you.
Wineries you can visit along the Empordà Wine Route
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