Formentera is a Vino de la Tierra wine appellation of Spain's Balearic Islands.
Records of winemaking on Formentera date back to 1246, but viticultural operations were non-existent from the 14th to the 18th centuries after the entire population was wiped out by the Bubonic plague. When the island was repopulated, the inhabitants established new vineyards, and grapes are now among Formentera's principal agricultural products, so much so that 12.5% of agricultural land is dedicated to vines.
The climate is Mediterranean, unsurprisingly given its location. In summer, the weather is hot and humid; winter temperatures are mild. Rainfall averages around 17 inches (425mm) a year. The island is relatively flat, rising to just 390ft (120m). That said, the coastline around es Cap in the southwest is dramatic, with steep cliffs dropping into the sea. The soils are mostly sandy and/or clay, with sandy being the predominant type.
The principal grape of Formentera is Monastrell (France's Mourvedre) and the VT's specialties are red wines and some rosés. The wines are characterized by high alcohol levels. They are mostly designed for early consumption and exhibit youthful fruit flavors – blackcurrants for reds and strawberries for whites. Plum, blackberry and fig tones may be noted in more-complex reds.
Formentera's wines are very popular with locals and with visitors and are slowly gaining a reputation elsewhere.
