📍 Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands are an archipelago in the Mediterranean off Spain's eastern coast: Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Summers are dry and sunny, winters mild, and sea breezes help the vineyards.

The main wine island is Mallorca. It has two denominations of origin, Binissalem and Pla i Llevant, and a regional indication, Mallorca. The other islands make wines under indications of their own: Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

The main feature is the local grapes. Reds: Manto Negro (Mallorca's main red, light and aromatic), Callet and Fogoneu. White: Prensal Blanc (Moll), which gives fresh white wines. International Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Tempranillo are grown too.

The Balearics are part of Spanish winemaking, but their wines are known mostly to tourists: most of what is made is drunk on the islands. Bringing a bottle home is a good way to meet rare grapes. Local wines go well with fish, vegetables and Mallorca's famous sobrassada sausage. The name Balearic Islands on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.