D.O. Binissalem

DO area named after the town of the same name in Mallorca, the largest island of the Balearic Islands. It was classified in 1988 as the first outside mainland Spain. It has a mild Mediterranean climate with hot summers and short winters. The vineyards on reddish or brown limestone soils cover around 500 hectares of vines at 75 to 200 metres above sea level. These are located in the centre of the island in the municipalities of Binissalem, Consell, Sancelles, Santa Eugenia and Santa Marí del Camí. They are protected from the strong north winds by the Sierra de Tramuntana and the Sierra de Alfabia.

The red wine varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Callet, Fogoneu, Manto Negro, Merlot, Monastrell, Syrah and Tempranillo, and the white wine varieties are Chardonnay, Giro Ros, Macabeo, Moll (Prensal), Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc) and Parellada. The autochthonous varieties, such as Manto Negro in red wines, must be included in cuvées in prescribed proportions. Well-known producers include Castell Miquel, Macíà Batle, José L. Ferrer - Franja Roja, Jaume Mesquida, Vins Nadal, Ramanyà, Bodegas Ribas, González Súñer and Vins Taujana - Celler Santa Eugènia.

Map: by NordNordWest, Own work, using OpenStreetMap, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
edited by Norbert F.J. Tischelmayer - June 2020