Binissalem Wine Region

Binissalem wine appellation lies in the heart of the municipality of Binissalem in the district of Raiguer on Majorca which is one of the Balearic Islands in Spain. About 75% of the wines made in this region are red. The 'Crianzas' is the popular red wine in the Binissalem wine appellation which is matured for less than 24 months. Winemakers also make white wines in the Binissalem region, mostly from grapes of the native Moll or Premsal Blanc type. Binissalem is recognized all over Spain for its annual grape harvest celebration, the "Festa des Vermas," which takes place in September. The wine appellation is the first in the Balearic island to get the status of DO.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Binissalem!

Where is the Binissalem wine region?

Binissalem wine appellation is located in the center of the commune of Binissalem in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of Spain's Balearic Islands. The region is 27 km northeast of the city of Palma and just 18 km west of Mallorca. The wine appellation is surrounded by communes of Alaro, Consell, Biniagual, Inca, and Lloseta. The vineyard surface is approximately 605 hectares and about 11 wineries, mostly small and medium-sized family-run, operate in the region producing award-winning wines from local grape varieties. 

History of the Binissalem wine region

Viticulture in the Balearic island dates back to Roman times, approximately 123BC, and until the nineteenth century, Binissalem was one of the island's most important wine-growing districts. Pliny the Elder, the philosopher, is alleged to have written about the island's wines in the first century AD, comparing them to Spain’s finest. Even in the medieval ages, the wine was already reputed among the wine enthusiast in Europe. A famous novelist, Jules Verne,  referenced Binissalem wine in his novel Clovis Dardentor. The region was famed for exporting high-quality food to the rest of Europe, but like the rest of the island, its industry was wiped out by the Phylloxera disease in the late nineteenth century. The wine industry has been revitalized and enhanced in recent years, with Binissalem being the first region to be given a DO in 1990.

The terroir and geography of the Binissalem wine region

Surprisingly, given its location, Binissalem-Mallorca has a Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and mild winters. The high mountains of Serra de Tramuntana and Serra de Alfabia contribute to the mild climate by acting as a barrier to icy winds from the north. The DOP region is located in the center of the island, northeast of the town of Palma, and consists of high plateaux of undulating hills at heights ranging from 125 to 300 meters above sea level.

The soils are loose and nutrient-deficient, with lime overlaying clay and occasional coatings of hard lime crusts that enhance water retention. Rainfall is mainly in the autumn in the form of violent storms.

Popular grape varieties from the Binissalem wine region

The Binissalem wine appellation boasts 11 wineries, mostly small and medium-sized family-run, operating in the region and producing award-winning wines from local grape varieties. 

The grape varieties grown in this region are:

Red: Manto Negro, Callet, Tempranillo, Syrah, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Gorgollassa, and Giró Ros.

White: Prensal Blanc, Macabeo, Parellada, Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, and Chardonnay.

Food to pair with Binissalem wine 

Boles de picolat

Boles de picolat is a typical Catalan meal that varies from restaurant to restaurant and consists of meatballs and olives cooked in a thick spicy sauce and served with haricot beans. Carrots, garlic, cepes mushrooms, tomato purée, and olive oil are among the other components. Meatballs are frequently made with a mixture of pig and beef mince, flour, eggs, and onions.

They're cooked in olive oil before being mixed with the sauce. When finished, serve with white beans, chickpeas, or rice on the side. It's worth noting that the meal and some of the components differ from one establishment to the next.

Lasagne alla Bolognese

This rich and hearty piatto unico is usually constructed with layers of handmade, often spinach-flavored fresh egg lasagna noodles topped with béchamel sauce and ragù alla Bolognese, a thick beef sauce.

Before serving, lasagne alla Bolognese is generously dusted with Parmigiano-Reggiano, the Emilian king of cheeses, and cooked until soft on the inside with a delightfully crisp, browned top. This oven-baked classic is a specialty of the Emilia-Romagna region, and particularly of the city of Bologna. This dish has grown in popularity through time and is often recognized as a global emblem of Italian food. 

Escaldums

Escaldums is a Balearic Islands-inspired classic Spanish stew. Typically, the stew is made using turkey breast or leg parts, onions, tomatoes, garlic, brandy, olive oil, thyme, bay leaves, almonds or pine nuts, and spices. This dish must be accompanied by a glass of red wine and a fine piece of country bread to dip into the delightful sauce that is produced. Escaldums should be served hot, and I recommend making them a day ahead of time since, like many stews, they benefit greatly from resting. In a large cazuela pot, the flesh is browned, then blended with a sauce consisting of garlic, onions, tomatoes, and brandy, and the mixture is simmered with bay leaves and thyme until the turkey is soft. Almonds or pine nuts are finely crushed and added to the hot stew at the end of cooking.

Places to visit in the Binissalem wine region

Santa Maria de Robines

Santa Maria de Robines is a parish church that dates back to the 13th century, following the Catalan invasion of Mallorca. Santa Maria de Robines is adjacent to Els Picapedrers - Escultura de Vermada and Els Vermadors. The modern church temple, erected on top of the previous Gothic temple, was completed in the 18th century. The first church temple was erected in the northeastern portion of the municipality of Robines which was named by the Moorish to reflect the new religious supremacy. The church was constructed in the "Repoblament" primitive Gothic architectural style. This church was originally mentioned in a bull by Pope Innocent IV in 1248, and there is evidence of an altar with the figure of Saint Stephen from 1270. Notice the statues on the church plaza outside that depict the area's ancient history of winemaking.

Campanet Caves

The Caves of Campanet are located in the island's north in Sant Miquel of the Sierra de Tramuntana which reflects the distinct character and beauty of rural Mallorca. This spectacular area is spread across 3200 m2 and have a route of around 500 m. The tour takes you via various galleries and large rooms which are situated on the Sant Miquel hill, in the Serra de Tramuntana, in the north of Mallorca. The caves are notable for the delicacy and exuberance of their calcareous deposits in the form of stalactites and stalagmites, which geologists refer to as speleothems. Aside from the rich natural decoration, numerous things have piqued the interest of scientists and naturalists. 

Frequently asked questions about Binissalem