Blog

19
Dec

Wine tasting in Mallorca - the perfect route

Majorca is the only island in the Balearic Islands where "wine growing" has a long tradition and still plays an important role today.

Wine-growing in Majorca began as early as the 2nd century BC. The mild Mediterranean climate and the dry clay soil are ideal for wine-growing. Majorca's mountain ranges protect the vines in the interior from cool north winds and in the east a sea breeze cools them down.

Mallorcan wine experienced a renaissance as early as the 19th century, when the wine-growing areas on the European mainland were destroyed by a phylloxera plague. In 1891 the plague finally reached Majorca and destroyed most of the vines. Many of the destroyed areas were replaced by almond and olive trees. This occurrence has had a major impact on the present landscape.

Only in the 90's the cultivation of the grape variety on Majorca was revived. Today, Mallorcan wines have long been known beyond the borders of the Balearic Islands. At present, wine is cultivated on a total area of 2300 hectares.

The 70 Bodegas (wineries) on Majorca create internationally excellent quality wines. On Majorca there are about 40 typical island vines, from which 45,000 hectolitres of wine are produced annually. Most wineries are located in the north, east and centre of the island. Majorca already has three protected quality predicates: Denominación de Origen (D.O. since 1991), Pla i Llevant and Serra de Tramuntana (since 1999). Since 2003, most of the wines of the Balearic Islands have carried the quality label "Vi de la Terra Illes Balears".

The best known wine route runs through the D.O. region Binissalem with 14 wineries from Santa Maria del Cami via Consell to Binissalem. One of the oldest wineries on Majorca is the Bodega Ribas in Consell with 308 years of history. Another traditional house is the Bodega Ferrer which has also shaped the history of wine production in Majorca. Further Bodegas worth seeing are: Jaume de Puntiró, Maciá Batle, Albaflor-Vins Nadal, Vinya Taujana or the Bodega Ramanyá.

Depending on the bodega, wine tasting takes place during the official visiting hours. We recommend that you make a reservation in advance. The guided tours are carried out by winegrowers or the owners themselves. You will learn the production process, how to taste the wine and how to recognize the aromas.

The wine tour (cata de vino) will not only introduce you to the processing and production techniques of each winery, but will also show you how to taste wine and appreciate the individual nuances.

In order to enjoy wine in Mallorca, there are numerous wine fairs every year, where the leading wineries of the island invite you to taste their wines.