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Spanish Wine Scholar > The Islands: Las Islas Baleares > Flashcards

The Islands: Las Islas Baleares Flashcards

1
Q

Which is the smallest autonomous community in Spain?

A

Las Islas Baleares

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2
Q

Who is Lycophron?

A

He was a Greek poet to whom the earliest recorded history of Las Islas Baleares is attributed. He chronicled a shipwreck in which Greek sailors washed up on the islands w/o clothes.

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3
Q

What did the Greeks name the primary islands - Mallorca & Menorca?

A

Illes Gimnesias (“Naked” Islands); because the local inhabitants were known to go naked or were scantily clad.

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4
Q

What did the Greeks name the minor Balearic Islands - Ibiza & Formentera?

A

Illes Pitiuses (Pityusic or “Pine” Islands)
These islands were covered in pine trees.

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5
Q

What did Pliny the Elder have to say about the wines in the Balearic Islands in his Historiae Naturalis, Book XIV?

A

He said that the wines of these islands could be compared to the best of the wines in Italy.

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6
Q

What are the official languages of the Balearic Islands?

A
  • Castilian Spanish
  • Catalan
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7
Q

In the Balearic Islands, significant investment was made in research & technology with a special focus on the cultivation/production of the island’s indigenous varieties. Name these varieties.

A
  • Prensal Blanc/Moll
  • Manto Negro
  • Callet
  • Fogoneu
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8
Q

Where is Las Islas Baleares located?

A

These islands are located in the western Mediterranean Sea 50-186mi/80-300km off the eastern coast of Spain.

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9
Q

What islands does Las Islas Baleares comprise of?

A

This archipelago comprises 2 groups of islands.

Balearics proper: formed by the larger, easternmost group of islands
* Mallorca
* Menorca
* Cabrera (small island)

Pityusas: the smaller, western group of islands
* Ibiza
* Formentera

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10
Q

How many provinces are there in Las Islas Baleares?

A

One

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11
Q

What is the capital of Las Islas Baleares? Where is it located?

A

Palma de Mallorca; located on Mallorca.

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12
Q

Which island in Las Islas Baleares is the largest?

A

Mallorca

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13
Q

What is the climate in Las Islas Baleares?

A

Mediterranean
* moderate temperatures throughout
* warm summers
* mild winters
* eastern islands are warmer
* some areas affected by Tramontana & Embat
* rainfall is some of the lowest in Spain
* rainfall is autumn & winter dominant
* 12-26in/300-650mm annual rainfall

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14
Q

Where in Las Islas Baleares can the coolest temperatures be found?

A

Serra de Tramuntana Mountains in northwestern Mallarca.
Rainfall here is also highest in the islands.

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15
Q

What is the Tramontana?

A

This cold, dry wind whistles between the Pirineos & Massif Central in southern France, and shoots across the Gulf of Lion to put everything in motion.

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16
Q

Which areas in Las Islas Baleares are subject to the Tramontana?

A
  • Menorca: most affected
  • Mallorca: shields from most of this wind by the Serra de Tramuntana Mountain range
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17
Q

What is the Embat?

A

This is a localized thermal wind affecting Mallorca in Las Islas Baleares.
It is a soft, humid sea breeze which blows over land during the sunniest part of the day.
It normally starts around noon & reaches max. speed a few hours later, then tapers off when the sun goes down.

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18
Q

How does the Embat wind influence the wines produced in Mallorca of the Las Islas Baleares?

A

This salt-laden breeze imparts some saline notes to many of the wines produced on the island.

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19
Q

Las Islas Baleares is an extension of which mountain sytem?

A

Sistema Betico

This mountain range originates in Andalucia, exits via southern Valencia, then reemerges as the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains (runs southwest to northeast) on the northwestern coast of Mallorca.

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20
Q

What is the highest peak in the Serra de Traumuntana mountains?

A

Puig Major (4,741ft/1,445m)

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21
Q

Name the rivers of Las Islas Baleares.

A

These islands are virtually void of rivers, with the exception of:
* Santa Eulalia River (Ibiza): more of a stream until there is a storm (11mi/17km long); flows into the Mediterranean on the northeastern part of the island

22
Q

What water sources are used in Las Islas Baleares?

A
  • freshwater lakes
  • desalination plants
  • irrigation
23
Q

What natural threats influence the vineyards of Las Islas Baleares?

A
  • hydric stress
  • violent autumn downpours
  • occasional hailstorms
24
Q

What soil types are found in Las Islas Baleares?

A
  • nutrient-poor
  • calcareous in nature
  • limestone subsoil, high in calcium & magnesium
  • high water-retention
  • limestone-rich soils in Mallorca form hardpans, which must be broken to allow vines to penetrate
  • Menorca: marl atop limestone & sandstone
  • Ibiza: clay-loam atop limestone
  • Formentera: limestone & sand
  • DO Pla i Llevant (central/eastern Mallorca): call vermell (a reddish clay mixed w/ limestone gravels or stones; free-draining), pockets of loamy-clay
25
Q

Name the grape varieties indigenous to Las Islas Baleares.

A

White:
* Prensal Blanc (Moll)

Red:
* Manto Negro
* Callet
* Fogoneu

26
Q

Name the international varieties planted in Las Islas Baleares.

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Chardonnay
27
Q

Which grape varieties are most popular in the Serra de Tramuntana production zone on Mallorca in Las Islas Baleares?

A
  • Malvasia
  • Chardonnay
28
Q

Which grape varieties are favored on Menorca in Las Islas Baleares?

A
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
29
Q

Which grape variety is favored on Ibiza & Formentera in Las Islas Baleares?

A

Monastrell

30
Q

How are vines trained in Las Islas Baleares?

A
  • en vaso: traditional; required near the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains
  • espaldera (trellis): growers are switching; landscape is relatively flat, allowing for mechanization
31
Q

Where in Las Islas Baleares is most industry growth taking place?

32
Q

What styles of wine are being produced in Las Islas Baleares?

A
  • vinos blancos
  • vinos rosados
  • vinos tintos
  • vinos espumosos
33
Q

Which white grape variety are vintners in Las Islas Baleares experimenting with extended lees aging and barrel aging with?

A

Prensal Blanc

34
Q

Which indigenous varieties in Las Islas Baleares are producing high-quality, age-worthy vinos tintos?

A
  • Manto Negro
  • Callet
35
Q

Name the DOPs of Las Islas Baleares.

A
  1. DO Binissalem (1990)
  2. DO Pla i Llevant (1999)
36
Q

Where is DO Binissalem located?

A

This small wine region is in west-central Mallorca near the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains.

37
Q

How does DO Binissalem benefit from the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains?

A

This range shields the vineyards from the brutal Tramontana winds.

38
Q

What is the climate in DO Binissalem?

A

Mediterranean
* 22in/550mm annual rainfall

39
Q

What soil types are found in DO Binissalem?

A
  • Limestone
  • Large limestone gravel
40
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Binissalem?

A
  • Tinto (64%): min. 30% Manto Negro & max. 30% Gorgollassa
  • Rosado (18%): no requirements
  • Blanco (16%): min. 50% Prensal Blanc/Moll or Moscatel
  • Espumoso (2%): min. 50% Prensal Blanc/Moll
41
Q

Name the white varieties permitted in DO Binissalem.

A

Preferred:
* Prensal Blanc/Moll (56% of white plantings)
* Moscatel de Alejandria
* Moscatel de Grano Menudo

Authorized:
* Parellada
* Macabeo
* Chardonnay
* Giro Ros

42
Q

Name the red varieties permitted in DO Binissalem.

A

Preferred:
* Manto Negro (37% of red plantings)

Authorized:
* Callet
* Tempranillo
* Monastrell
* Cabernet Sauvignon (26% of red plantings)
* Merlot
* Syrah
* Gorgollassa

Note: red varieties represent 75% of the total plantings

43
Q

What aging designations are used for vino tinto in DO Binissalem?

A
  • Crianza
  • Reserva
  • Gran Reserva
44
Q

What are the characteristics of Manto Negro wines made in DO Binissalem?

A

These wines are pale in color w/ notes of berry fruit and flowers and are generally light, low in tannins, and high in alcohol.

This grape is commonly blended w/ international varieties which provide additional color & structure.

45
Q

Where is DO Pla i Llevant located?

A

This wine region spans the southeastern half of Mallorca. It is a broad, flat landscape and is the warmer side of the island.

46
Q

What is the climate in DO Pla i Llevant?

A

Mediterranean
* Embat wind brings moisture & saline to vines
* 18in/450mm annual rainfall

47
Q

What soil types are found in DO Pla i Llevant?

A
  • Limestone
  • Call vermell (red clay topsoil)
48
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Pla i Llevant?

A
  • Tinto (43%)
  • Blanco (39%)
  • Rosado (18%)
  • Espumoso (<1%)
  • Other (<1%)

Majority of these wines are blends; varietals are chiefly made w/ international varieties.

49
Q

Name the white varieties authorized in DO Pla i Llevant.

A
  • Prensal Blanc/Moll: dominates white plantings
  • Chardonnay: dominates white plantings
  • Macabeu
  • Moscatel de Grano Menudo
  • Moscatel de Alejandria
  • Parellada
  • Riesling
  • Giro Ros
  • Viognier

42% of plantings are white varieties.

50
Q

Name the red varieties authorized in DO Pla i Llevant.

A
  • Callet: 3rd most widely planted
  • Cabernet Sauvignon: most widely planted
  • Merlot: most widely planted
  • Fogoneu
  • Manto Negro
  • Monastrell
  • Pinot Noir
  • Syrah
  • Tempranillo
  • Gorgollassa

58% of plantins are red varietites

Spanish Wine Scholar (31 decks)

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