The Islands Flashcards
What are the Pityusas islands?
Ibiza and Formenterra, ‘pine’ islands, western most Balearic Islands
What are the Gymnesic islands?
Mallorca and Menorca, ‘naked’ islands, eastern most Balearic Islands
What is the modern economic driver for wine production in the Balearic Islands?
Tourism (increased vineyards resulting in less emphasis on almonds)
What is the rainfall in the Balearic Islands?
Low, 12-26 inches, the exception is Serra Tramuntana on Mallorca
What is the climate in the Balearic Islands?
Mediterranean **
Which Balearic islands are generally cooler?
Western islands, Ibiza and Formenterra, exception is Serra Tramuntana on Mallorca
What did Pliny the Elder say about Balearic wine?
compared well to the best Italian wines, 73 CE
When did wine making start in the Balearic Islands?
7th century BCE with the arrival of the Phoenicians
What was the motivation for the Roman conquest of the Balearic Islands in 123 BCE?
Stop piracy. The Balearic Islands were the last place for Transalpine Gaul and Sardinian pirates to hide in the western Mediterranean. Mallorca was home to excellent ports which was conducive to naval operations.
What is the etymology of Balearic?
Latin Balearicus, from Greek Baliarikos, from the ancient name of the islands and their inhabitants; traditionally “the slingers” (from ballein “to throw, sling”) in reference to their weapons.
What was the effect of the bubonic plague in Balearic Islands?
Widespread devastation; wiped out entire population of Formenterra, which was not repopulated for 400 years.
When did Spain ultimately regain control of Balearic Islands?
1802 [300+ years after Spain gained control of Canary Islands.]
What was the aftermath of phylloxera in the Balearic Islands after 1891?
decrease in vineyard acreage due to frequent replanting with almond trees [These islands were a site of early entry of phylloxera into Spain. Contrast with Canary Islands that never had phylloxera.]
How many provinces are in the Balearic Islands?
one [contrast with two in the Canary Islands]
What is the capital of the Balearic Islands?
Palma de Mallorca [Palma alert: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a co-capital of Canary islands.]
What islands are affected by the tramontana?
mostly noted in Menorca of the Balearic Islands [also has an effect on Mallorca and in Cataluña, especially Emporda; tramontana winds head to Serra de Tramuntana]
What is the embat?
a refreshing soft humid wind coming from the sea towards the land that blows over Mallorca in the hottest part of the day; may contribute to salinity of the wine
What are the viticultural challenges in the Balearic Islands?
limited rainfall, hail, violent rainstorms
The Balearic Islands are an extension of which mountain range?
Sistema Bético (which starts in Andalucia and reemerges in the Mediterranean Sea)
Where is the Santa Eulalia River?
Ibiza, only river (stream) of the Balearic Islands
What is Call Vermell?
a reddish free-draining clay soil often mixed with limestone gravels or stones that is found in Mallorca** [vermell is red in Catalan]
Where is Call Vermell found?
DO Pla i Llevant (Mallorca)** [Some importers describe Call Vermell in Do Binissalem, but this is not mentioned in the book.]
What is Sant Francesc Xavier?
Sant Francesc (Spanish: San Francisco) Xavier is the largest settlement of Formentera in the Balearic Islands
What are the indigenous white grapes of the Balearic Islands?
Prensal Blanc (aka Moll) is most significant. **
What are the indigenous red grapes of the Balearic Islands?
Manto Negro [photo in manual!], Callet, Fogoneu
What are the international white grapes grown on Mallorca?
Malvasía and Chardonnay (in the Serra de Tramuntana)
What are the international red grapes grown on Menorca?
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the international grapes grown on Ibiza?
Monastrell (actually Spanish, of course)
What are the international grapes grown on Formenterra?
Monastrell (actually Spanish, of course)
What is the role of mechanization of viticulture in the Balearics Islands?
widespread except in the Serra de Tramuntana
What is the traditional form of vine training in the Balearic Islands?
en vaso
What is the modern (with replanting) form of vine training in the Balearic Islands?
espaldera
In what years did wine production peak in the Balearic Islands?
between the years of the arrival of phylloxera in France and subsequently in Spain, wine production peaked; it is comparatively lower now
What wine style predominates in DO Binissalem?
Tinto**, (64/18/16/2, T/B/R/E)
What is predominant white grape planted in DO Binissalem?
Prensal Blanc **
What is predominant red grape planted in DO Binissalem?
Manto Negro (37%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (26%)
What does Pla i Llevant mean?
Catalan for Plain and Eastern
What are the wine styles of DO Pla i Llevant?
43/39/18, T/B/R, red dominant**
Where is DO Pla i Llevant?
Island of Mallorca
What are the soils in DO Pla i Llevant?
limestone and Call Vermell