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Balearic Islands DOs

Spanish Wine - Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands are a group of islands in Mediterranean Sea, close to the east coast of the Iberic Peninsula. Geographically they are part of a submerged prolongation of the Betic mountain range in the Peninsula, which emerges in the middle of the sea to create the Balearic Islands. They are divided in two groups: Menorca, Mallorca, Cabrera and the small islands that surround them on one hand, and Ibiza, Formentera and the small islands that surround them on the other. The Balearic Islands are a very popular tourist destination (specially famous among Germans) and they have some pretty good spots for camping.

Spanish Wine - Balearic Islands Wine

The wine culture in the Balearic Islands comes from a very early stage. In 123 a. C. the Romans invaded the islands, which stayed under the Roman Empire for over 1000 years. This is when the Balearic wine industry started gaining importance, specially in Mallorca. In 903 the Arabs took over the Romans and governed the islands for around 300 years. They were supposed to tear the vineyards down, since they're not allowed to drink alcohol, but the cultivation of the vine never stopped. In 1229 when the islands were re-occupied by Christians who followed the school of though, the ban on alcohol was lifted and permits to plant vines were handed out. This turned the economy around.

The Balearic wine industry continued its rapid growth until 1891, when the phylloxera plague destroyed all of the islands' vineyards and paralyzed the production. They were not replanted until the beginning of the XX Century, and continued to have their ups and downs until the 90's, when the Balearic wine industry finally settled and started producing regularly.

DOs (designations of origin) of the Balearic Islands

At the moment, around 130 million sq feet of Mallorca are made up of vineyards, out of which approximately 60% belongs to the two designations of origin found in the island. Although it's very common to use the native grape varieties such as Manto Negro, Callet, Fogoneu, Moll or Prensal Blanc, other non-native varieties are also allowed in the production of Balearic wines.

DO Binissalem

Spanish Wine - Binissalem

The DO Binissalem, established in 1990, can be found right in the middle of the island of Mallorca, where the Tramuntana mountain range protects it from the cold northern winds. This creates a warm Mediterranean climate perfect for the growth and ripening of the fruit. The grape varieties allowed in the production of the DO Binissalem Balearic wines are Manto negro (main variety), Callet, Tempranillo, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot for red wines; Moll o Prensal Blanc (main varieties), Macabeo, Parellada, Chardonnay and Moscatel for white wines.

The alcohol level in the wines of this DO are as follows:

  • Red wine, with a minimum alcohol content of 11.5%
  • White wine, with a minimum alcohol content of 10%
  • Rosé wine, with a minimum alcohol content of 11%
  • Sparkling wine, with a minimum alcohol content between 10.5% and 13%

In relation to the ageing of the wines, there are several obligations to follow in order to classify them:

  • Crianza: At least 24 months of ageing, of which a minimum of 6 should be spent in an oak barrel
  • Reserva: At least 36 months of ageing, of which a minimum of 12 should be spent in an oak barrel, while the remaining time should be spent bottled
  • Gran Reserva: At least 60 months of ageing, of which a minimum of 18 should be spent in an oak barrel, while the remaining time should be spent bottled.

DO Pla i Llevant

Spanish Wine - Pla i Llevant

The DO Pla i Llevant was established in 1999, and it sits a bit more to the east than the DO Binissalem, also in Mallorca. It has a clear Mediterranean climate, and the proximity of the sea and its light breezes helps to even out the temperatures. The result is a climate which is perfect for the growth of the grapes, which in the end produce well rounded and balanced Balearic wines.

As in the DO Binissalem, the Spanish classes of grapes are the most used in these wines, although other varieties are allowed: Moscatel, Prensal Blanc (Moll), Macabeo, Parellada and Chardonnay for the whites; Callet, Fogoneu, Manto Negro, Merlot, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Monastrell and Merlot for the reds.

The alcohol level in the wines of this DO are as follows:

  • Red wine, with a minimum alcohol content of 11%
  • White wine, with a minimum alcohol content of 10.5%
  • Rosé wine, with a minimum alcohol content of 10.5%
  • Liquor wine, with a minimum alcohol content of 15%
  • Sparkling wine, with a minimum alcohol content of 11%
  • Semi sparkling wine, with a minimum alcohol content of 10%
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