When you think of Majorca, you’ll probably conjure up images of gorgeous weather, beach holidays and stunning landscapes. However, these alone would be doing the island an injustice. Majorca also boasts an incredible legacy when it comes to winemaking, and it is this that’s helped to shape its culture and traditions.
Spanish wine is renowned worldwide, and when it comes to the production of the highest quality wines, one of the powerhouse’s of the country’s winemaking industry is Majorca.
Majorca’s location and climate make it an ideal place for wine production. It boasts more than 70 wineries, 500 brands of wine and two Denominations of Origin (DO), Pla i Llevant and Binissalem, and three Geographical Indications (GI), Vino de la Tierra de Majorca, Vino de la Tierra Serra de Tramuntana-Costa Nord and Vino de la Tierra Illes Balears.
The wide variety of acclaimed, high-quality wines and their related activities has positioned Majorca as a prime destination for discovering and lavishing in the aromas and flavours of its wines.
With 450 hectares of vineyards that grow only a few metres above sea level, the Pla i Llevant DO spans over 19 municipalities in the central and eastern regions of the island. Although first cultivated in 1999, the appellation is grown in the area with the longest wine-growing tradition in Majorca, dating back to Roman times. With 13 wineries and 70 registered winegrowers, the DO produces lauded red, white, rosé, sparkling, liqueur and semi-sparkling wines made from the islands’ native grapes Premsal Blanc, Giró Ros, Callet and Manto Negro, among others. A visit to one of these vineyards is a must for wine lovers!
Binissalem Designation of Origin
In central Majorca, 140 hectares of Binissalem vineyards overlook the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range. Ripened over five municipalities with a background in traditional winemaking, the DO was founded in 1990.
There are currently 13 wineries that share this classification amongst their red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines. Most famously, their red wines contain a minimum of 30% of the native Manto Negro variety, which gives it its delicious fruity fragrance. Visitors can learn about the winemaking process and discover the villages that preserve their valuable architectural and cultural heritage at one of these local wineries.
Geographical Indications of Majorca
The island is well-known in the winemaking world for its three Geographical Indications (GI). Vino de la Tierra de Majorca is made entirely from grapes produced in Majorca and bottled in the production area, such as the red varieties Callet or Manto Negro or the white varieties Prensal or Macabeo.
The GI Vino de la Tierra Serra de Tramuntana-Costa Nord is produced with the Malvasía grape in Andratx and Pollença. It can only be found in the most rural areas of the island and is grown on terraces by the sea.
Finally, the Vino de la Tierra Illes Balears GI is solely produced in the Balearic Islands with its most notable white varieties Chardonnay or Parellada and Tempranillo and Pinot’s red varieties Noir, among others.
Wine Days Majorca
Wine lovers should not miss the annual Wine Days Majorca festival, organised by the Binissalem Designation of Origin, which takes place in May each year, with this year’s edition in full swing.
Revellers can delve into the Majorcan wine tradition through cultural and gastronomic experiences, with a program that includes everything from excursions to winery visits, tastings of local wines, to concerts in gardens, vineyards, and churches. With such festivities, the island aims to promote itself as a wine tourism destination and raise awareness of its strong roots in wine culture.
For more information on Majorca and the amazing things it has to offer visitors, please visit www.infomallorca.net.
Read more articles, guides and news relating to the wine industry here.
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