The best wines in Mallorca: types and Protected Designations of Origin (Denominaciones de Origen)

PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN IN MALLORCA

The island of Mallorca is an ideal destination for wine tourism, so when planning your routes around the island, do not forget to include a stop at one of the wineries of these DO, where you can taste their best wines and visit their facilities to discover the production process of the best wines in Mallorca.  

Pla i LLevant Protected Designation of Origin

The Pla i LLevant Designation of Origin was founded in 1999 and there are currently 13 wineries and 70 wine growers, with a total of 444 hectares of vineyards in Mallorca. The geographical area comprising the Pla i Llevant DO is one of the areas on the island of Mallorca with the greatest winemaking tradition. The vineyards of this DO are established in two differentiated areas on the Island, the centre and the east, covering 19 municipalities:

Algaida, Ariany, Artà, Campos, Capdepera, Felanitx, Llucmajor, Manacor, Maria de la Salut, Montuïri, Muro, Petra, Porreres, Sant Joan, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, Santa Margalida, Santanyi, Sineu y  Vilafranca de Bonany. 

Binissalem Protected Designation of Origin

The wine region of the Binissalem Designation of Origin, founded in 1990, is located in the centre of the island of Mallorca, with vineyards at between 75 and 200 meters above sea level. It comprises the municipalities of Santa María del Camí, Binissalem, Sencelles, Consell and Santa Eugènia with a total of approximately 140 hectares of vineyards.

In this article you can learn all the details about the Binissalem Designation of Origin.

PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS OF MALLORCA

Mallorca Regional Wine

This geographical indication identifies wines made entirely with grapes grown in Mallorca and packaged in the production area. Winemakers use grape varieties such as red Callet, Manto Negro, or Fogoneu, among others, and white Prensal, Chardonnay, Macabeo and Malvasia.

These are clear wines, with aromas that are characteristic of the grape varieties they are made from. The whites are aromatic and pale yellow to golden in colour, with fruity or floral aromas. The rosé wines, from a pale pink to orange colour, are bright and transparent. The reds have a powerful aroma, are rich in tannins and, rounded and full-bodied in the mouth.

Serra de Tramuntana-Costa Nord Regional Wine

Another geographical indication in Mallorca is the “Serra de Tramuntana-Costa Nord Regional Wine”, produced in the most rugged territory on the island, from Andratx to Pollença. One of the most important productions is Malvasia, a dry white wine produced with the grape variety of the same name. Malvasia vines grow on terraces by the sea, cradled by the sea breeze in a saline atmosphere.

Illes Balears Regional Wine

You will also find wines with the "Illes Balears Regional Wine" label, produced entirely on the Balearic Islands with white varieties such as Chardonnay, Viognier or Parellada, among others, and reds such as Tempranillo, Fogoneu and Pinot Noir.  

WINE FROM MALLORCA ACCORDING TO TYPE

Types of wines of the Pla i llevant DO

Dry muscatel comes from the varieties of Prensal Blanco, Macabeo and Parellada. The result of combining these varieties is a set of very fresh aromas to the palate.

As for red wines, the wide variety of grapes used for the Pla i LLevant DO results in wines that are characterized by their intense colour and complex fruit aromas. In the mouth the tannins are soft, with balanced acidity, resulting in an overall sense of freshness. 

The production of white wine in this DO is characterized by the Moll grape, which provides very prominent differential values for wine lovers. This variety offers aromas of fruits, predominantly green apple and nuts, in which hints of apricot and bitter almonds can be found. These wines are fresh in the mouth, with an adequate balance between acidity, sweetness and a slightly bitter finish. 

On the other hand, the red wines have their own characteristics, brought largely by the Manto Negro grape. In this case, the wines are characterized by not being too intense in colour. They are well structured and harmonious wines, with soft tannins and tertiary aromas.

TYPES OF GRAPES OF THE MALLORCA DESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN

The type of authorized grapes varies according to the different regulatory councils of each Designation of Origin. In this case, the regulations of the Pla i Llevant DO and the Binissale of Mallorca DO qualify the following grape varieties for the production of their wines:

White grape

- Chardonnay (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Small grain Moscatel (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Alexandria Moscatel (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Parellada (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Riesling (Pla i Llevant DO

- Viognier (Pla i Llevant DO

- Prensal Blanco or Moll (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

Red grape

- Cabernet Sauvignon (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Merlot (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Monastrell (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Pinot Noir (Pla i LLevant DO)

- Syrah (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Tempranillo (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Callet (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Mantonegro (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)

- Fogoneu (Pla i Llevant DO) 

- Gorgollassa (Pla i LLevant DO and Binissalem DO)