Pairing Wine & Tapas: Highlights from the Roses Tapas Route and DO Empordà Wine Week
Looking for a delicious way to explore the Costa Brava? The Roses Tapas Route and DO Empordà wine week is your invitation to stroll, sip, and savor—one tapa at a time. From March 13–22, 2026, Roses fills with flavor as local bars and restaurants present signature bites paired with wines, moscatels, and sparkling wines from DO Empordà. Stay at 1935 Hotel & Apartments to enjoy the route at your own pace—most participating venues are within walking distance, so you can leave the car behind and soak up the town’s atmosphere between tastings.
In this guide, you’ll learn what to expect on the route, how to pair wine and tapas like a pro, the must-try highlight from 1935 Hotel & Apartments, and practical tips to make the most of your foodie getaway by the sea.
What is the Roses Tapas Route?
The Roses Tapas Route is a 10-day celebration of local gastronomy paired with the characterful wines of DO Empordà. Each participating establishment creates its own tapa, offering a varied journey of flavors and textures across the town. To complete the experience, every tapa is paired with a curated pour—ranging from expressive whites and reds to moscatels and sparkling wines from DO Empordà wineries.
- Dates: March 13–22, 2026
- Where: Throughout Roses, in participating bars and restaurants
- Why it’s special: You can explore on foot, taste a wide spectrum of culinary styles, and discover the wines of the land of the tramontana alongside each bite.
Quick answer for planners
- When is the Roses Tapas Route? March 13–22, 2026.
- Do I need a car? No. Many venues are an easy walk from 1935 Hotel & Apartments.
- What wines will I find? DO Empordà selections, including whites, reds, moscatels, and sparkling.
The best base: 1935 Hotel & Apartments
If you want to relax into the rhythm of the route without rushing, 1935 Hotel & Apartments is an ideal choice. In addition to participating directly in the event, the hotel is within walking distance of most participating venues—perfect for a seamless tapas-and-wine stroll that captures the spirit of Roses.
- Walkable tastings: Enjoy the route comfortably, venue-to-venue, without a car.
- Seaside setting: Turn your tasting journey into a gastronomic escape by the sea.
- Stress-free pacing: Take your time between stops and discover more with less logistics.
Planning to extend your stay? Explore more local experiences on our blog—think nature escapes to Aiguamolls de l’Empordà or cultural routes through the most beautiful medieval villages of Empordà. If you’re adding an inland stop, consider our apartments in Figueres for an easy pairing of city culture and wine country.
Spotlight pairing at 1935: Norat Essence + Heus (DO Empordà)
One of the route’s must-try bites is served at 1935 Hotel & Apartments: Norat Essence—chicken with langoustines in a traditional “sea and mountain” (mar i muntanya) recipe. It’s a tribute to Terraza’s market-fresh cuisine with a contemporary touch, and it shines with a thoughtfully chosen DO Empordà pairing:
- Tapa: Norat Essence (chicken with langoustines)
- Wine pairing: Heus (white or red) – La Vinyeta winery
Why this pairing works
“Sea and mountain” dishes bridge delicate marine notes with savory, earthy flavors. That duality invites flexibility in wine pairing:
- White option (Heus, white): Generally, a fresh white complements the sweet-briny profile of langoustines and brightens poultry richness with acidity.
- Red option (Heus, red): A fresh, fruit-forward red with gentle tannins can match the savory chicken elements without overwhelming the seafood.
Pro tip: When a dish brings both land and sea to the plate, choose wines with balance and lift, not extremes—moderate alcohol, refreshing acidity, and clean fruit or mineral notes are your allies.
How to pair wine and tapas across the route
DO Empordà wines offer a wide palette—from lively whites and nuanced reds to fragrant moscatels and celebratory sparkling. Use these simple rules to build confident pairings as you explore.
The golden rules of pairing
- Match intensity
- Light tapas (e.g., seafood salads, simple croquettes) pair with lighter wines.
- Rich, saucy or grilled tapas call for more structured whites or reds.
- Let acidity lead
- Acidity cuts through oils and fried textures, refreshes the palate, and brightens flavors.
- Make salt your friend
- Salt tames bitterness and highlights fruit in wine—particularly helpful with fried or cured bites.
- Balance sweetness and spice
- Off-dry or aromatic profiles can soften spice or heat; sweet elements in food often ask for a slightly sweeter wine.
- Use bubbles for a clean slate
- Sparkling wines scrub the palate after fried, creamy, or intensely savory bites.
- Save moscatel for the finale
- Aromatic and sweet styles are perfect for desserts or blue-cheese notes.
Tapas-to-wine ideas (frameworks you can apply)
- Seafood and shellfish
- Choose crisp whites or sparkling to emphasize freshness and texture.
- Poultry and “sea & mountain” combinations
- Versatile: fresh whites for lift, fruit-forward reds with gentle tannins for depth.
- Grilled meats or stews
- Look for reds with enough structure to stand alongside savory intensity.
- Fried favorites (calamari, croquettes)
- High-acid whites or sparkling to refresh; salt-friendly profiles sing here.
- Cheeses and charcuterie
- Whites with acidity for soft cheeses; balanced reds for cured meats; sweet wines for strong cheeses.
- Desserts and pastries
- Moscatels for a fragrant, harmonious finish.
Your step-by-step plan for the Roses Tapas Route
Follow this simple approach to enjoy more flavors with less effort.
- Set your dates
- Mark March 13–22, 2026. Book your stay early at 1935 Hotel & Apartments.
- Start near your base
- Begin with nearby venues and expand outward. Walking keeps the experience relaxed.
- Alternate styles
- Rotate between seafood, meat, and vegetarian tapas so your palate stays fresh.
- Pair with purpose
- Start with whites or sparkling, move to reds as dishes gain intensity, and finish with moscatel if you choose a dessert.
- Keep notes (or photos)
- Jot down pairings you love; it’s the easiest way to remember favorites.
- Pace yourself
- Share tapas and glasses to taste more without overdoing it.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A light layer for seaside breezes
- A small notebook or phone notes for pairing discoveries
FAQ: Fast answers for easy planning
When is the Roses Tapas Route?
March 13–22, 2026.
Where should I stay to enjoy it on foot?
1935 Hotel & Apartments is within walking distance of most participating venues, so you can explore comfortably without a car.
What wines are featured?
Expect pairings with DO Empordà wines, including whites, reds, moscatels, and sparkling selections.
What is the featured tapa at 1935?
Norat Essence: chicken with langoustines in a traditional “sea and mountain” recipe, honoring Terraza’s market-fresh cuisine with a contemporary touch.
What’s the recommended pairing for Norat Essence?
Heus (white or red) from La Vinyeta winery.
Practical takeaways for better pairings
- Choose by intensity: lighter wines for delicate tapas; structured wines for richer dishes.
- Favor acidity with fried or creamy bites to keep flavors lively.
- Use sparkling as a palate reset between contrasting tapas.
- Save sweet or aromatic wines for spicy notes, blue cheeses, or dessert.
- Trust versatility with mixed dishes like “sea & mountain”: balanced whites or gentle reds both shine.
Extend your foodie getaway
You’re already in the land of the tramontana—make the most of it:
- Explore more on the L’Empordà Wine Route with tastings and pairings.
- Add a nature day at Aiguamolls de l’Empordà for birdwatching and easy trails.
- Discover medieval villages across Empordà for history-rich strolls between tasting days.
Conclusion: Taste Roses, one perfect pairing at a time
The Roses Tapas Route and DO Empordà wine week is the ideal way to experience local cuisine and terroir in harmony. With 1935 Hotel & Apartments as your walkable base, you can savor each tapa, discover new favorite wines, and turn a simple outing into a seaside gastronomic escape.
Ready to plan? Book your stay at 1935 Hotel & Apartments for March 13–22, 2026, and enjoy the Roses Tapas Route at your own pace. Want to go deeper into local experiences? Explore our blog for more routes, nature, and gastronomy throughout the Costa Brava.