Balearic Islands Flashcards
How far are the Balearic Islands from mainland Spain?
300 km
Topsoil found in Mallorca & in which DO & what is it special for?
Call Vermell
= redish clay, mixed with limestone gravel
DO Pla i Llevant
free-draining
Balearic Island winds?
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.
Top white grapes for Mallorca?
Prensal Blanc/Moll
Chardonnay
Sierra de Tramuntana production zone:
Malvasía & Chardonnay
Top red grapes for Mallorca?
Manto Negro Callet Fogoneu Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Prensal Blanc/Moll
Indigenous to Las Baleares Thin skinned low acidity Often blended w/ Viognier/Chardonnay Tropical notes Easy drinking Popular locally
Callet
Indigenous to Las Baleares Drought resistant Late ripening Low - mod alcohol Moderate acidity Often blended (CabSauv, Manto Negro) Light, rustic wines Mineral/Salty
Manto Negro
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%
DO Binissalem Grapes
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)
Mallorca DOs
Binissalem
Pla i Llevant
DO Pla i Llevant
= Plain & east coast Limestone w/ clay topsoil (call vermell) International grape focus 77% 58% red, 42% white Embat affected (saline)
Tramontana
Cold, dry wind from between Pirineos and Massif Central.
Vineyards of Mallorca somewhat shielded by Serra de Tramuntana
Menorca more directly affected.
Embat
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.
Highest peak in Mallorca
Puig Major
about 1400m
Islands VT of Balearic Islands?
VT Formentera
VT Ibiza
VT Mallorca (whole island - but in North, VT Serra de Tamuntana Costa Nord)
VT Menorca,
Formentera and Ibiza are known collectively as what?
Pityusas
What archipelago is off the southern coast of Mallorca?
Cabrera
Mallorca soils
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)
Menorca soils
Marl atop limestone & sandstone
Ibiza soils
Clay loam atop limestone
Formentera Soils
Limestone & sand
Fogoneau
Indigenous red variety
primarily in Pla i Llevant
Similar in flavor, structure and aroma to Gamay.
Main grape of Ibiza and Formentera?
Monastrell
Rivers & water on the Balearic Islands?
Bout the only river … to be called that …Santa Eulalia on Ibiza
main water supply from freshwater lakes. storms or destination plants
Other Balearic Islands (not Mallorca) focus on grape varieties?
Menorca - Merlot & Cab Sauv
Ibiza & Formentera - Monastrell
What islands belong to Las Baleares?
Ibiza & Formentera (=Pityusasa)
Mallorca
Cabrera (not inhabited)
Menorca
