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Growers and winemakers in the vineyards of the Ampurdán - called the Empordà in Catalan - have turned their attention to healthier clones of vines and new fermentation technology. As a result this area promises to become a producer of high quality wines. Although this is traditionally cooperative country, new small family bodegas, often guided by young oenologists, are springing up. They, too, are renovating vinification methods. Traditionally sweet natural wines have been the speciality here, as in France, just over the border, but today the bodegas are winning recognition for modern young reds.
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Fact file
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CRDO address:
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Av. Marignane, 2
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17600 Figueres
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Girona
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España
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DO Established
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27JUN75
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Telephone
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+34-972-507-513
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Fax
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+34-972-510-058
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E-mail
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doempcb@teleline.es
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Website
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Vineyards:
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Sub Zones
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Area Under Vine
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2,977 ha
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Altitude
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Up to 200 m
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Soil Types
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Fertile brown earth with limestone
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Principal Grapes (w)
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Macabeo, Garnacha Blanca
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Principal Grapes (r)
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Cariñena, Garnacha
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Permitted Grapes (w)
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Muscat, Gewürztraminer, Macabeo, Chardonnay, Xarel.lo
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Permitted Grapes (r)
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Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo
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Training and Pruning
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Mainly Royat and Guyot, vines staked against the wind
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Principal Root Stocks
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161-49, 41B, 160-R, 140-Rup, SO4, 110-R
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Climate:
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Max. Summer Temp.
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29 °C
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Min. Winter Temp.
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1.5 °C
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Average Rainfall
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600 mm
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Average Sunshine
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2,400 hours/year
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Production:
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Maximum Crop
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7,000 kg/ha
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Equivalent hl/ha
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49 hl/ha
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Wine alcohol content:
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White
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11%-13.5% abv
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Pink
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11.5%-13.5% abv
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Red
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11.5%-13.5% abv
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Other
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Garnatxa, min. 15% abv
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Ageing in oak:
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Crianza
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6 months oak, 12 months bottle
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Reserva
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12 months oak, 12 months bottle
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Gran Reserva
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24 months oak, 36 months bottle
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Wineries:
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Number of Wineries
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32
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Total exports - 2001
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-
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Total exports - 2002
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-
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Total exports - 2003
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-
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