Balearic Islands

Question 1

How far are the Balearic Islands from mainland Spain?

Answer 1

300 km

Question 2

Topsoil found in Mallorca & in which DO & what is it special for?

Answer 2

Call Vermell
= redish clay, mixed with limestone gravel
DO Pla i Llevant
free-draining

Question 3

Balearic Island winds?

Answer 3

Tramontana - cold dry wind blowing from between Central Massif (Fr) and Pyrenees.
Affects Menorca more, Mallorca protected by Sierra de Tramuntana

Embat - local, afternoon, humid warm sea breeze primarily affecting Mallorca. Salt laden.

Question 4

Top white grapes for Mallorca?

Answer 4

Prensal Blanc/Moll
Chardonnay

Sierra de Tramuntana production zone:
Malvasía & Chardonnay

Question 5

Top red grapes for Mallorca?

Answer 5

Manto Negro
Callet
Fogoneu
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot

Question 6

Prensal Blanc/Moll

Answer 6

Indigenous to Las Baleares
Thin skinned
low acidity
Often blended w/ Viognier/Chardonnay
Tropical notes
Easy drinking
Popular locally

Question 7

Callet

Answer 7

Indigenous to Las Baleares
Drought resistant
Late ripening
Low - mod alcohol
Moderate acidity
Often blended (CabSauv, Manto Negro)
Light, rustic wines
Mineral/Salty

Question 8

Manto Negro

Answer 8

Main indigenous grape from Mallorca
Thick skinned
Mid - late ripening
Mildew resistant
pale in colour & light in taste
low in tannins
High alcohol
Prone to oxidation
frequently blended with Callet
Dark fruit flavors
DO Binissalem min 30%

Question 9

DO Binissalem Grapes

Answer 9

75% red
37% Manto Negro
26% Cabernet Sauvignon

located: W/Cent Mallorca
Minimum 30% Manto Negro for DO Labelling
(and max of 30% Gorgollassa)

25% white
56% Prensal Blanc/Moll

Minimum 50% Prensal Blanc or Moscatel (white and sparkling)

Question 10

Mallorca DOs

Answer 10

Binissalem

Pla i Llevant

Question 11

DO Pla i Llevant

Answer 11

= Plain & east coast
Limestone w/ clay topsoil (call vermell)
International grape focus 77%
58% red, 42% white
Embat affected (saline)

Question 12

Tramontana

Answer 12

Cold, dry wind from between Pirineos and Massif Central.
Vineyards of Mallorca somewhat shielded by Serra de Tramuntana
Menorca more directly affected.

Question 13

Embat

Answer 13

thermal wind
Soft, humid sea breeze blowing over land in sunniest part of day
tapering off when sun goes down
Salt laden and thought to impart some saline notes to island wines.

Question 14

Highest peak in Mallorca

Answer 14

Puig Major

about 1400m

Question 15

Islands VT of Balearic Islands?

Answer 15

VT Formentera
VT Ibiza
VT Mallorca (whole island - but in North, VT Serra de Tamuntana Costa Nord)
VT Menorca,

Question 16

Formentera and Ibiza are known collectively as what?

Answer 16

Pityusas

Question 17

What archipelago is off the southern coast of Mallorca?

Answer 17

Cabrera

Question 18

Mallorca soils

Answer 18

Nutrient poor, calcareous, with limestone subsoil high in calcium and magnesium carbonate.

Capacity to hold water crucial.

In many areas, limestone rich soils forms hardpans which must be broken to allow roots to penetrate

Call vermell (reddish clay & limestone gravels)

Question 19

Menorca soils

Answer 19

Marl atop limestone & sandstone

Question 20

Ibiza soils

Answer 20

Clay loam atop limestone

Question 21

Formentera Soils

Answer 21

Limestone & sand

Question 22

Fogoneau

Answer 22

Indigenous red variety
primarily in Pla i Llevant

Similar in flavor, structure and aroma to Gamay.

Question 23

Main grape of Ibiza and Formentera?

Answer 23

Monastrell

Question 24

Rivers & water on the Balearic Islands?

Answer 24

Bout the only river … to be called that …Santa Eulalia on Ibiza
main water supply from freshwater lakes. storms or destination plants

Question 25

Other Balearic Islands (not Mallorca) focus on grape varieties?

Answer 25

Menorca - Merlot & Cab Sauv

Ibiza & Formentera - Monastrell

Question 26

What islands belong to Las Baleares?

Answer 26

Ibiza & Formentera (=Pityusasa)
Mallorca
Cabrera (not inhabited)
Menorca