The Binissalem PDO incorporates three new grape varieties to produce wine

PalmThe Binissalem Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) has approved a modification to its specifications to include three new grape varieties: Acicate de Gallo, Girón Negro, and Fogoneo. These three are local varieties with a documented presence in the region since the 19th century and a strong historical connection to the production area, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Environment announced in a statement. Although their cultivation declined from the 1980s onward with the introduction of foreign varieties, their recovery has been promoted in recent decades, along with the production and marketing of single-varietal wines. Several scientific studies have confirmed that these local varieties enhance the fruity aroma of the wines (one of the distinctive characteristics of wines protected by the Binissalem PDO) and contribute to improving natural acidity, a particularly important factor in partially mitigating the negative effects of climate change.

Use of the 'vignette'

The amendment to the specifications, published this Saturday in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands (BOIB), also regulates the use of the optional term 'vinyet' on labels. This is a traditional expression in the region that refers to small, generally old, vineyard plots with a high proportion of local varieties. Currently, nearly 90% of the plots planted with local varieties and Muscat are over 20 years old and less than two hectares in size. To enhance the prestige of Binissalem PDO wines, the specifications establish specific criteria for using this term, such as a minimum vineyard age, a high percentage of local varieties, manual harvesting, lower yields than the general PDO average, and a reduction in the maximum alcohol content. Another significant amendment is the regulation of the use of the term 'smaller geographical unit [municipality]' on labels. The municipalities that make up the Binissalem PDO (Binissalem, Consell, Santa María del Camino, Sencelles, and Santa Eugenia) have played a key role in shaping its winemaking identity, and its name is commonly used in promotional, wine tourism, and communication activities. The new regulations will also allow the municipality of origin of the grapes to be identified on the label, provided that at least 85% of the grapes come from the same municipality and that the wine is produced in a winery registered within that municipality. The use of traditional expressions such as "wine from the town of...", the Regional Ministry has argued, will reinforce the product's identification with its specific origin and offer greater transparency to the consumer. Finally, the specifications adapt the sensory descriptions of the protected wines to link them to descriptors that can be evaluated using scientific methods. This update reflects the evolving profile of DO wines. When the initial descriptions were written, most wines were made with foreign varieties, while currently, the production of wines made exclusively with local varieties has increased significantly. All these changes, the department headed by Minister Joan Simonet has indicated, respond to a request from the DO Regulatory Board and are supported by technical and scientific criteria. The main objective is to adapt the regulations to the evolution of the wine sector, strengthen the connection between the wines and the land, and improve the information available to consumers.