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Majorca – Spanish or German Island?

Majorca is the largest Spanish island of the Balearic Islands archipelago.

In the year 1950 was the beginning of mass tourism, hotel travel, which radically changed the physiognomy the whole island. The enormous tourism transformed the island Majorca into a centre of attraction for foreign visitors and attracting workers from mainland Spain. This resulted into a huge change of the traditions, the sociolinguistic map, urbanisation and acquisitive power.

The boom in tourism provoked the capital of Majorca Palma to grow significantly, with repercussions on immigration. In 1960 Majorca received 500,000 visitors, while in 1997 it received 6,739,700.

In 2001, even more than 19,200,000 people passed through the Son Sant Joan Airport in Palma, with an added 1.5 million which arrived by sea.

In 2006 approximately 9.6 Million tourists came to Majorca and about 38 % (3.6 Million) of them were German people. This means that this island is the main favourite destination of Spain for the tourists of Germany.

Most German tourism you can find in the south region of Majorca, near to the beautiful beaches of S’Arenal and Platja de Palma.

In the city of S’Arenal you can find about 250 Hotels which house ca 50.000 hotel beds for the visitors of the island and 4 of a total of 15 Balnearios (beach sections with several beach bars). The most popular beach section of the German people is „Ballermann 6“(Balneario No. 6) because of all the great parties. Mainly youngsters celebrate there while drinking German beer and Spanish Sangria out of buckets with extra large straws.

Platja de Palma is famous for its party scene with numerous discotheques. Probably the most well-known disco is Oberbayern where often German pop singers perform, for example Jürgen Drews (who is also known as the King of Majorca), Peter Wackel and Matthias Reim. Further renowned gastronomically locals are the beer garden Bierkönig, the disco Riu Palace, Mega-Park and many more.

So how you can see, even the names of the facilities are in German!! And about 90 % of the premises of all foreign owners are also German people! Somewhere along the way it actually has been suggested to make Majorca the 17^th federal state of Germany … albeit only as a joke!! Only 6 % of the population of Majorca is German (which means 50,000 continuous inhabitants) … but they pretend to be the locals of the island of Majorca!!!

Or what are you thinking?? I’m very anxious to read your opinion regarding this topic!

Mallorca for winelovers

History

As the mild Mallorcan climate is excellent for vineries to grow, it is no surprise that Mallorca already counted a great number of quality wines in the 15^th century. However, this period of prosperity came to an end in the late 1800s when the Phylloxera bug destroyed the vineyards.

Nowadays the Mallorcan wine is reviving. Many quality wines are produced again just like some centuries ago. Most vineyards started as family companies only producing for themselves, but they grew to bigger companies. Some of them are even exporting their wines to the mainland of Europe, but also to other countries all over the world. Still most of the wine is sold to the locals or is served in Mallorcan restaurants.

Grapes

Mallorca counts several indigenous grapes. The Callet and Manto Negro are the red varieties, the Moll, also called Prensal (or Premsal) Blanc is the white one.

Also imported varieties such as Tempranillo, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fogoneu, Girò Blanc, Syrah, Merlot, Parellada, Macabeo, Moscatell and Chardonnay, … are cultivated on the island.

D.O.

Mallorca counts two demarcated wine regions or denominaciones de origin (D.O.) regions as they are called on the island. The most important one is the “Comarca Binissalem” and was created in 1990. Eleven years later a second region was created that was named Plà I Llevant.

Binissalem

The Binissalem vineyards are located in the heart of the island and cover an area of 560 hectares. The 13 vineyards are located in the fertile area at the east of the Tramuntanya mountains that protect them against the cold northerly winds.

The biggest and most famous vineyards are the three oldest ones: Bodegas José L.Ferrer, Bodegas Oliver and Marcià Batle.

The region is very small; it only consists of five little towns: Sencelles, Consell, Santa Maria del Cami, Binissalem and Santa Eugenia. Still Binissalem is one of the few Spanish regions with its own D.O.

More information on:
www.binissalemdo.com

Bodegas José L.Ferrer (Franca Roja)

The 70 hectares of vineyards of José L. Ferrer were created in 1931. Nowadays they make their wines by combining the traditional way of production with modern technologies. The red wines are a mix of indigenous grapes (Manto Negro and Callet). The fruity white wines are made from the white Moll.

Wines:
Gran Reserva, Reserva, Crianza, Blanc de Blancs, Viña Veritas, Rosado

Contact:
C/Conquistador, 103
07353 Binissalem (Mallorca)
Tel: +34 971 51 10 50 & Fax: +34 971 87 00 84

More information
www.vinosferrer.com

Macià Batle

The Macià Batle vineyards were created in 1856. In 1996, one started building new bodegas that feature the newest technologies for producing wine. Grapes used are 'Manto Negro' for red wines and 'Moll' or 'Prensal' for white wines.

Visits to this bodega are possible and show the complete winemaking process. The bodegas are also worth a visit for their typical Mallorcal architectural beauty.

Wines:
Red: Añada
Rosé: Rosado
White: Blanco

Contact:
Camí de Coanegra, s/n
07320 Santa María del Camí (Mallorca)
Tel: +34 971 14 00 14 & Fax: +34 971 14 00 86

More information on:
www.maciabatle.com

Vins Nadal

Like most Mallorcan bodegas, Vins Nadal is a familiar vineyard. In 1930 the bodega started making wine from grape varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet and Manto Negro. They still use traditional techniques like the day they started, but nowadays those are combined with more modern methods.

Contact:
C/ Ramón Llull, 23
07350 Binissalem (Mallorca)
Tel: 971 51 10 58 & Fax: 971 87 01 50

More information on:
www.vinsnadal.net

Antonio Nadal Ros

Antonio Nadal Ros created his vineyards in 1960. The owners chose to combine modern ecological technologies with the traditional methods which permit them to make wine of constant good quality. The varieties of grapes cultivated are Manto Negro, Callet, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvingon and Tempranillo for the red wines and Moll and Macabeo for the white ones.

Wines:
Red: Tres Uvas
Rosé: Ros Rosat
White: Blanc de Moll

Contact:
Camino de Son Roig, s/n
07350 Binissalem (Mallorca)
Tel: 971 77 15 02 & Fax: 971 72 45 18

Vinyes I Vins Ca Sa Padrina

Ca Sa Padrina was only created some years ago in the year 2000. The first wine was bottled in 2002 and was made from a mixture of local grapes and the more traditional varieties from the main land.

Wines:
Manto Negro: red

Contact:
C/ Antonio Maura, 4
07140 Sencelles (Mallorca)
Tel: 686 93 39 91

Jaume de Puntiró

Jaume de Puntiró is a little familiar vineyard that makes wine from ecologically cultivated grapes only. The varieties used are mostly indigenous ones: Manto Negro, Callet y Prensal Blanc. Furthermore, Cabernet Sauvignon is used.

Wines:
Red: Vermell, Carmesí, Buc, JP
White: Blanc, Daurat

Contact:
Plaça Nova, 23
07320 Santa María del Camí (Mallorca)
Tel & Fax: 971 62 00 23

More information on:
www.vinsjaumedepuntiro.com

Bodegas Ca’n Ramis

Ca’n Ramis is a bodega of the familiar type that was founded in 1870. For their wines, three kinds of grapes are used; Manto Negro, Callet and Syrah.

Wines:
S´erral de Ca’n Ramis: red and white

Contact:
Plaça de Son Morell s/n
07140 Sencelles (Mallorca)
Tel & Fax: 971 87 24 18

Ramanyà

Ramanyà is a quite recent bodega that was founded in 2003. It makes wines with local grapes as well as the more classical varieties: manto negro, moscatell, premsal blanc, callet, sirà, cabernet sauvignon, merlot y chardonnay.

Contact:
            Quarter VIII, 16
            07320 Santa Maria del Camí
            Tel: 680 4179 29

Vinya Taujana

Contact:
Balanguera, 40
07143 Santa Eugènia (Mallorca)
Tel. 971 14 44 94 & Fax. 971 62 26 16

Binigrau Vins i Vinyes

Contact:
Fiol, 33
07143 Biniali (Mallorca)
Tel: 610 56 99 04 & Fax: 971 14 05 34

Jaume Bennàsser

Contact:
Polígon 9, 168
07143 Biniali, Sencelles (Mallorca)
Tel: 971 61 51 53

Biniagual Explotaciones Agricolas

Contact:
            Llogueret de Biniagual, s/n
            07350 Binissalem (Mallorca)
            Tel: 971 87 01 11 & Fax: 971 88 61 08

Son Prim

Contact:
Sor Francinaina Cirer, 36
07140 Sencelles (Mallorca)
Tel: 607 36 72 37 & Fax: 971 40 48 20

Plá I Llevant

Ever since the Roman ages, Plá I Llevant was known for its winemaking. The D.O. however was only created recently in 1999. The area of Plá I Llevant consists of communities that are located in the centre and the east of the island; Algaida, Ariaño, Artà, Campos, Capdepera, Felanitx, Llucmajor, Manacor, Maria de la Salut, Montuïri, Muro, Petra, Porreres, Sant Joan, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, Santa Margalida, Sineu and Vilafranca de Bonaño.

More information on:
www.plaillevantmallorca.es

Vinyes I Bodegues Miquel Oliver

In the 80’s, the vineyard was one of the first to use indigenous varieties of grapes such as the manto negro, callet and guefarró. Therefore, this was one of the vineyards that were responsible for the revival of the Mallorcan wine.

Wines:
Red: Mont Ferrutx, San Caló, Aia, Ses Ferritges
White: San Caló

Contact:
Font, 26
07520 Petra (Mallorca)
Tel & Fax: 971 56 11 17

More information on:
www.miquelolivier.com

Toni Gelabert

The vineyards of Toni Gelabert are rather small as were created in 1979 for family purposes only. In 1993, however, they decided to take the commercial road.

Contact:
Camí dels Horts de Llodrà km. 1'3
07500- Manacor (Mallorca)
Tel & Fax: 971 55 24 09

More information on:
www.vinstonigelabert.com

Jaume Mesquida

The first vineyards of Jaume Mesquida were created in 1945. In the 70’s, the family owning these bodega helped in making the revolution of the Mallorcan wine possible by using the indigenous types of grapes. They also combined traditional techniques such as storing their wine in barrels of American and French oak with modern methods such as the use of stainless steal in the production process.

Wines:
Collection: The Selecció Familiar which is made of grape varieties such as syrah, chardonnay o cabernet.
Red: Jaume Mesquida negre

Contact:
C/ Vileta, 7
07260 Porreres (Mallorca)
Tel: 971 64 71 06 & Fax: 971 16 82 05

More information on:
www.jaumemesquida.com

Bodegas Pere Seda

This bodega was created in the 19th century. The 100 hectares of vineyards are divided for the different types of indigenous grapes (callet, manto negro y prensal) and for the grapes coming from France or the Iberian Peninsula (Destaca el Gvivum).

Wines:
White: Chardonnay Pere Seda, L'Arxiduc
Red: Mossèn, Pere Seda, L'Arxiduc
Rosé: L'Arxiduc

Contact:
C/ Cid Campeador, 22
07500 Manacor (Mallorca)
Tel: 971 60 50 87 & Fax: 971 60 48 57

More information on:
www.pereseda.com

Vins Miquel Gelabert

Miquel Gelabert created his vineyard in 1985. The vineyards count about 7 hectares, one of which has vineries older than 50 years. In the vineyards about 30 varieties of grapes are cultivated. (callet, manto negro, fogoneu, gorgollasa, giró negre, prensal blanco, giró blanco, jaumillo, pepita de oro...).

Wines:
Red: Torrent negre, Vinya des Moré, Vinya Son Caules
White: Blanc Sa Val, Chardonnay

Contact:
C/ Salas, 50
07500 Manacor (Mallorca)
Tel y Fax: 971 82 14 44

More information on:
www.vinsmiquelgelabert.com

Bodegues Armero I Adrover

Wines:
Armero i Adrover: red, white and rosé
Armero i Adrover collita de fruits: red and white

Contact:
Camada Reial s/n
07200 Felanitx (Mallorca)
Tel: 971 82 71 03 & Fax: 971 58 29 75

More information on:
www.armeroiadrover.com

Vins Ca’n Majoral

Wines:
Can Majoral: white and red
Butibalausí: white, red and rosé

Contact:
C/ Campanar, s/n
07210 Algaida (Mallorca)
Tel & Fax: 971 66 58 67

More information on:
www.canmajoral.com

Vins Galmés I Ferrer

Contact:
Camí del Barracar, 18
07250 Petra (Mallorca)
Tel & Fax: 971 56 10 88

Vins Ca’n Coleto

Contact:
Camí de Son Reixach, s/n
07250 Petra (Mallorca)
Tel: +34 971 561 544 & Fax: +34 971 83 02 96

Butxet

Butxet is a very recent vineyard created by a father and his son in 2004. Nevertheless, they have a lot of experience in cultivating vineries. The family always had vineries, but sold the grapes. Recently they decided to change this and started making their own wine.

Contact:
Carrer Bisbe Albertí, 10
07440 Muro (Mallorca)
Tel: +34 63 00 39 150 & Fax: +34 971 53 71 07

More information on:
www.butxet.com

Bordoy

Bordoy is a family company that was founded in 2002. The owner is a pensioner man who has always dreamt of having his own vineyard. Finally, at a very mature age, he made this dream come true.

Wines:
Sa Rota, Vi Jove
Sa Rota, Criança

Contact:
Cami de Muntanya s/n
Llucmajor (Mallorca)
Tel: +34 971 77 40 81 & Fax: +34 971 77 12 46

Other

Es Verger

Es Verger is one of the younger vineyards of Mallorca that has just commercialized its first wines.

Wines:
The wines of Es Verger are principally made from the Manto Negro Variety. The Marjades 2002 crianza also contains a little amount of cabernet and syrah. Another prominent wine is Els Rotjals 2003.

Contact:
            Hort de's Verger, s/n
            Esporles (Mallorca)
            Tel: 971 61 92 20

Bodegas Santa Catarina

The Santa Catarina vineyards were created in 1984 and are located in a valley between the Tramuntana mountains and the sea at Puerto Andratx. The wines mature in oak barrels in very impressive sandstone caves under the mountains. Grapes cultivated include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Bodegas Oliver

        Wines:
        Red:Vino de Misa, Vino Tinto, Tinto Illes D'Or
        White: Castillo del Oro,
        Rosé: Rosado Camp Sec, Rosado Camp Sec, Rosado Camp Sec

        Contact:
        Cl.Canónigo Barceló, 8
      07350 Binissalem (Mallorca)
      Tel: 971 51 11 55

Bodegas Hereus De Ribas

The Ribas vineyards were already founded in the beginning of the 18th century, but only in 1986 they started to bottle their wines. The vineyards consist of 15 hectares of indigenous grapes (Premsal Blanco, Manto Negro y Callet) that have a minimum age of 40 years. The remaining 25 hectares is used for the younger vineries of about 20 years old.

    Wines:
    Hereus De Ribas: red - white - rosé
    Sió Negre
    Sió Contrast - Blanc Roure
    Sió Contrast - Dolç

    Contact:
                Camí de Muntanya, 2
                07220 Consell (Mallorca)
                Tel: 971 62 26 73 & Fax: 971 62 27 46

Àn Negra Viticultors

The most famous wine made on the island of Mallorca is the Ànima Negra or simply AN. Although the AN project only started in 1994 as an experiment of some friends, the wine has an international reputation already.

    Wines:
    AN
    AN/2

    Contact:
    3ª Volta, 18
    07200 Felanitx (Mallorca)
    Tel & Fax: 971 72 88 29

More information on:
www.annegra.com

Other interesting Spanish wineregions:

Artists and Mallorca

Joan Miró

Although Miró was born in Barcelona in 1893, his work and life are linked to two other Spanish cities where he passed most of his time; Tarragona y Mallorca. At the age of 18, Miró started painting.

Between 1915 and 1918, his work was mostly influenced by cubism, fauvism, Cézanne and Van Gogh. In this works, his love for figures and landscapes from the rural world where he spent his youth was clearly present.

Later, there clearly was a surrealistic influence in his works. However, Miro never was an orthodox surrealist and tried to be original and creative in every way.

Miró spent a great part of his life traveling between Paris, Tarragona and Mallorca. At the end of his life he decided to move to Palma de Mallorca in 1965 and lived their till he died in 1983. There he finally realized his dream of working in a great workshop and kept on searching for new techniques.

Nowadays, a lot of his works can be admired in the Pilar and Joan Miró Fundation and Museum in Palma de Mallorca.

Chopin

Another famous artists who spent some time in Mallorca was Frédéric Chopin. Chopin’s experience in Mallorca, however, was less pleasant than that of Miró. Chopin arrived there in the extremely cold winter of 1838-1839. As he had problems finding a place to stay, he ended up in the monastery of Valldemossa.

As if staying in a cold monastery wasn’t bad enough, Chopin also experienced problems with the sending over of his piano. In the end he had to rent one.

Although Chopin suffered from serious health problems during his stay in Mallorca, he finished his preludes (Op.28) there.

Nowadays, the “Chopin Festival” is held in the cloister of the monastery of Valldemossa. In 2007, it will take place on 5, 12, 19 and 26 August, at 10pm. For information and tickets visit Festivalchopin

General information

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