Manto negro

Manto negro is a red Spanish wine grape variety grown in the Balearic islands where it used in wines produced under the Binissalem-Mallorca and Plà i Llevant (DO) Denominación de Origen (DO)s as well as the Illes Balears appellations. Today Manto negro is almost exclusively found on the island of Majorca with 320 hectares (790 acres) making it the most widely planted grape variety on the island accounting for over 20% of the total vineyard land in production. Though planted throughout the island, the vine seems to be more successful in the rocky soils of the western Binissalem region.

History and relationship to other grapes

Ampelographers believe that Manto negro is indigenous to Mallorca with DNA profiling suggesting that the grape is a natural crossing of two virtually extinct Balearic grapes, Sabaté and Callet Cas Concos which would make the grape a half-sibling to Callet (itself a cross of Callet Cas Concos and Fogoneu). Additionally, Callet Cas Concos is believed to be a natural crossing of the Sardinian wine grape Girò and the Spanish wine grape Beba which would make Manto negro a grandchild to these varieties.