Binissalem

History

Grape growing and wine production was introduced to the island by the ancient Romans in the year 121 BC when Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius took possession of the island for Rome. Pliny the Elder mentioned the wines of Majorca in his writings in the 1st century AD.

During the centuries of Moorish dominion, grape growing and wine production did not disappear despite the prohibitions of the Koran, as when king Jaume I conquered the island in 1230, he was offered top quality wine as a peace offering.

Before the arrival of the phylloxera plague at the end of the 19th century there were about 27,000 ha under vines in Majorca and exports were 300,000 hl of wine per year. After the devastation of the virus, however, most of the vineyards were replaced by almond trees. During much of the late 19th century and early 20th century, the town continued its trade with France by manufacturing farm machinery.

In the middle 20th century Binissalem was noted for the quality of its woodwork and stonework. There are still successful and active quarries in or near the town, which has now grown to approximately 6,500 inhabitants.

In the late 20th century there was a revival of the wine industry due to the demand for quality wine by tourists.

It acquired its DO status in 1991, the first of the two Majorcan DOs to do so.

Geography

The area covered by the DO in the centre of the island, northeast of the town of Palma and is a high plateaux of rolling hills at altitudes of between 125 m and 300 m above sea level. To the north is the Sierra de Alfabia range which protects the vineyards from the cold and wet sea winds that blow during the winter.

Soils

The soils are loose and poor in nutrients, with lime over clay and occasional layers of hard lime crusts, which contributes to water retention.

Climate

The climate is maritime Mediterranean, with warm hot summers and short mild winters. Excessive heat in the summer is the main problem that the grape growers have to cope with, though the altitude helps to keep down temperatures during the night. There are occasional risks of strong winds, frosts and hailstones. Rainfall is mainly in the autumn in the form of violent storms.

Grapes

The local red variety, Manto negro, represents about 50% of the red grapes planted, the others being Cabernet Sauvignon, Callet, Tempranillo, Monastrell, Syrah and Merlot.

The local white variety, Moll (also known as Prensal blanc) represents about 70% of the white grapes planted, the other being, Macabeo, Parellada, Chardonnay and Moscatel.

Transport

Binissalem's railway station is served by frequent services from Palma to Inca and onto Sa Pobla and Manacor.

Notable people