The Mediterranean region is known for sun, arid terrain, sea air and centuries of simple, healthy, from-the-earth culinary tradition. In other words, it is a perfect arena for wine cultivation and appreciation. Spain has many well known wine growing regions such as Rioja, Penedes, Ribera del Duero and of course the Sherries of Jerez. However, there are still quite a few relatively undiscovered pockets of viticulture thriving and growing within the Iberian peninsula… and this post focuses on one dear to my heart: L’Alt Emporda.Catalonia (Catalunya in Catalan) is in the Northeast part of Spain. It runs from the top of the country to below Tarragona, with Barcelona sitting right about in the middle of it, along the coast. The northeast corner of Catalonia, known as L’Alt Emporda (or “high Emporda”) is nestled below the Pyrenees and looks out over the Mediterranean, bumping up against the French border. Some of the more well known towns in this region are Roses, for its markets, beaches and the world-famous El Bulli restaurant; Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dali; and Cadaques, a picturesque little fishing village frequented by tourists and locals during hot summer months.But, it is among the small villages of this area that mom-and-pop vineyards are still tended by the people that live on the land, and small producers proudly continue the traditions of grape-to-glass without the mechanics, technology or marketing afforded by actual wine companies. These individual wine makers sometimes come together and become part of cooperatives. In this way, their grapes are bought and sold; their wines become commodities on supermarket shelves and their passion can be a viable livelihood.This video features a special guest, Laura Masramon, who took time to speak with me about the region, its terroir, the grapes that flourish here and walk us through some of the wines made from local growers and available for sale at the Empordalia shop. Learn more about the cooperative and the wines at their website, as well.