By
Bonnie Carroll
The
winemaking tradition on the island of Mallorca
began with the arrival of the Romans in 123 B.C. and has lasted
to the present era. Hundreds of hectares currently used as vineyards
for native grape varieties stand to show the excellent work
of Majorcan grape-growers. This figure is constantly growing,
as is the number of new generation wines made and the Majorcan
wineries with Denomination of Origin labels. Almost all of them
include local varieties such as moll or prensal for white wines
and manto negro, callet and fogoneu amongst the reds. The best
known winemaking region is categorized as D.O. Binissalem, comprising
the municipalities of Binissalem, Consell, Santa Maria del Camí
(where Bodegas Macià Batle is located), Santa Eugènia
and Sencelles. These lands have been producing excellent harvests
of local grapes for more than five centuries, and they guarantee
wines that stand out for their excellent flavour, deep colour
and unique aroma.
This area is sheltered from the cold winds from the north by
the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains, creating a mild microclimate.
The Mediterranean climate is mild, with long, hot dry summers,
short winters and slightly rainy periods in the spring and autumn.
The soil is rich in calcium, and the terrain is flat or slightly
rolling, giving rise to brown or limy brown soils. The land
is low in relief and the vines grow some 75 to 200 metres above
sea level.
All together, this makes Majorca a unique grape-growing region,
with wines offering all the special characteristics derived
from its island nature, climate, varieties and terrain. Tasting
these wines is a must for anyone with an inquisitive and demanding
palate.
Today Bodega de Macia Batle is in a Moorish cavern, where the
family owned business creates the benchmark Majorcan wines by
using the latest and most advance machinery to develop 150 hictares
of vineyards to offer excellent wines withy special charactistics
native to the island (Montegnegro, Callet and Prensal). A qualified
team of oenologists and grape growers strive to make this wine
outstanding. Wines include Bodega Biniagual Blanc Veran, Veran
Rosat, Sant Gall and Gran Veran as well as the Macia Batle Crianza,
Reserva Privade, Blanco de Blanco, Rosado and Ariada.
A
tour through this wine making venue is outstanding. The owners
and staff provide a bevy of wine history as well as art history.
Macia Batle labels feature the artwork of many renowned Spanish
artists, and the winery itself is filled with exquisite fine
art. Rooms with huge barrels and a room with floor to ceiling
bottles is amazing to see. The machinery used to make their
wines is the latest and immaculate. The cleanliness of the entire
facility is empressive.
The dining area where our traditional Mallorcan dinner was served
was beautiful and included appetizers, dinner and dessert all
paired with fine Bodega Macie Batle, personally described and
served by our host, the grandson of the founding family. The
delightful end to this adventure dinner in the winery was to
be serenaded by our host, and everyone at the table sang with
him. These tour dinners are offered to business groups or visitors
to Mallorca who wish the authentic experience of an historic
winery, and it is such a valuable education in the art of wine
making as well as a delicious taste of Mallorca.
Bodega de Macia Batle
Cami de Coanegra s/n
07320 Santa Maria del Canri Mallorca
www.bodegamacia.com
