Amidst the golden stone villages and olive groves, apricot and almond orchards is the imposing Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range; designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2011, the roads over it are a playground for our cycling guests. At the feet of the range feet are the rich fertile soils of the wine-producing region of the island: limestone, clay and sand.
When thirty nine of some of the best wine producers gather together in the Cloisters of the St Domingo convent in Pollensa, you have the recipe for a great weekend of wine tasting!
‘Fira Del Vi’ Festival
The ‘Fira del Vi’ Pollenca 2017 was in May, and our cycling guests were able to add this to their cycling itineraries during their holiday. A gloriously sunny day heralded one of the most anticipated wine gatherings on the Island. The Spanish affair is very relaxed and casual, unlike a typical British wine tasting event – there is little scope for ‘wine snobbery’ or over-elaborate analyses of what is on offer. The 10 euros entrance fee secured a wine glass (to keep) and a booklet for tasting notes, you are then un-leashed into the fun, taste extravaganza the Spanish really know how to organise.
Great tasting local wines
Alongside the internationally renowned wine producers such as Macie Batle, with it’s large winery and estates in St Maria Del Cami, there are some of the smaller, family run vineyards. Mortitx, a favourite, with it’s picturesque vineyard up in the mountains of the Serra de Traumuntana, and the nesting grounds of the endangered Black Vulture, had eight of their wines on offer. The Spanish crowding around the stand spoke volumes about the quality of their production. With the help of our guests, we managed to get to the front and buy a fine Mortitx Blanc and Rosat, both delicious, before the throngs of the Spanish enthusiasts shuffled us nicely out of the way!
One of my favourite Rosés is from the local Tianna Negre winery, just down the road from us at Binnisalem. I was initially attracted to their wines by the great bicycle themed label. This local Manto Negro grape, is fruity and fresh, a very young quaffable wine – Velo Rosé.
Our guests were delighted by the delicious Merlot from the vineyard Butxet in Muro, a stone’s throw from the Villa; having finished a bottle of their tasty white wine from last year’s purchase the night before, the unusual name had drawn them and us to the excellent tasting wines on offer. Further afield, and one for a visit on our bikes, is the vineyard at Esporles, sitting 20 mins from Palma on the south side of the Traumuntanas from their small vineyard, Son Vich de Superna. We brought three great tasting bottles, all different and equally delicious. The white, a Viognier grape was light and peachy, presented in a startling aquamarine bottle, and my favourite; David sampled (and bought) the beautifully named Rosé Lágrima de Traumuntana (tear of the Traumuntana), citing strawberries and plum from the Tempranillo grapes. After that, we felt we could not leave the blended red Expresión on the table, so made it a full house from their winery!
After two successful hours, laden down with our purchases, we all clinked back to the Villa to discuss our tastings of the afternoon and of course opened a bottle (had to be the Velo Rose!) with evening tapas.
We are looking forward to the next big wine event, Festa des Vermar, in Binissalem in September. A version of the tomato throwing ‘Tomatina’ festival in Valencia in August, the Binissalem revellers substitute grapes for tomatoes! All the fun and revelry is well attended, along with more wine producers who furnish the beautiful square with lots of wine to taste!
Join us for the next Mallorcan wine festival
The exact date is kept secret until later in the year… so come and join us for more wine and cycling, or just wine in September!
If you want to be contacted when we know the date please email contact@bespokedholidays.com
Bespoke Cycling Holidays for wine lovers
Fancy trying some traditional Mallorcan wine?
Mallorca has some of the best vine yards in the world, why not sample some of the local wines as part of your cycling holiday. We can arrange wine & vineyard tours as part of your tailor made holiday.
For more information contact us on +44 (0) 7771 995 669 or + 34 635 297 518, email us at contact@bespokedholidays.com
