Spanish Islands

When somebody mentions Spanish Islands, what comes to mind? Raves on Ibiza ? A very long flight with Travel Servis to the Canaries ? I don’t think any of us would say “Wine”, but this is where we are going in May – the vineyards of Mallorca.

Wine growing on Mallorca start with Romans even before Jesus had his first glass, and even though prohibited by the Koran during Moorish rule, has survived non stop for over 2000 years. The reason none of us know this (even those of us who have holidayed there) is that we never got off the beach. The Mallorcan wine region is located in the center of the island. At an altitude of 300m, the higher elevation protects the grapes for the extreme summer heat. It is this inaccessibility that makes for what some experts the “Last Spanish Wine Frontier”. Translate this to mean high quality, and reasonable prices.

What should you expect from these hidden wonders ? The Altitude is really the key to the flavors as the reds are much milder than what you would expect from a crianza or a rioja. Lighter in color and higher in tannin, these are great for warm days when you don’t want to get weighted down with a big, round, oak monster. The whites are a real blend of flowers and minerals – some even call them “salty”. For us every day drinkers, this means that they are fresh, light, clear and will feel a bit more acidic than what we have had the last few months.

Again these are wines for warm weather and light foods. Think fish and salads and maybe some soft cheeses.

So lets embark on our island tour. Who knows, it may convince you to make some summer holiday plans!

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