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 Growers and winemakers in the vineyards of Empordà 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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Spain
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DO Established
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27June 1975
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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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info@doemporda.com
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Website
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www.doemporda.com
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Vineyards:
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Sub Zones
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-
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Area Under Vine
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2,020.17 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, Moscatel de Alejandría
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Principal Grapes (r)
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Cariñena, Garnacha
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Permitted Grapes (w)
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Moscatel, Gewürztraminer, Macabeo, Chardonnay, Xarel.lo, Malvasia, Picapoll blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
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Permitted Grapes (r)
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Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Monastrell, Garnacha peluda
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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%-15% abv
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Pink
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11.5%-15% abv
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Red
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11.5%-15% 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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24 months, minimum 6 months in oak
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Reserva
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36 months, minimum 12 months in oak
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Gran Reserva
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24 months oak, 36 months in bottle
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Wineries:
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Number of Wineries
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45
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Total exports - 2006
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4,060 hl
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Total exports - 2007
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3,396 hl
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Total exports - 2008
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3,468 hl
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