PALMA
THE Majorcan Denominacion de Origen (DO) wine Pla i Llevant produced a total of 1'438'961 litres of wine last year, some six percent more than in 2005, and had sales amounting to 918'667 euros, an increase of 6.5 percent in comparison with 2005.
This was announced at the presentation of wines of this DO, at which the Balearic Minister of Agriculture Margalida Moner was present, along with the President of the Regulating Council for this DO.
Grape production in the area covered by the DO was 2'109'567 kilos, 100'000 more than in 2005, although this was a smaller increase than in previous years.
With regard to this, it was highlighted that 2006 had a dry Summer, but the rain which fell at the start of the season (between November 2005 and April 2006) meant that there was sufficient reserves to make sure the grapes developed.
The total area of vineyards which grow grapes for this DO was 333 hectares in 2006, 15 more than in 2005, of which 253 grow black grapes and the rest white grapes.
During a press conference, Moner expressed her wish that in a couple of months the DO Vi de la Terra de Mallorca would be available for use by the wine producers. At the moment it is only awaiting possible objections. We will agree everything as soon as possible, and then we will be present at the birth of this Denominacion de Origen, she said.
She mentioned that the sector is doing very well but recommended that it should not rest on its laurels, particularly now, when the recently withdrawn Alcohol Law proposal, could have put all their efforts in jeopardy.