It wasn't so long ago that wine production in Ibiza was confined to a few small vineyards from which wine was made largely for personal consumption. Known as vi pages, or country wine, it had, shall we say, a rough edge to it, and wasn't the type of stuff for quaffing by the gallon.
Nowadays viticulture in Ibiza is a thriving business which has adopted all the modern production methods practised throughout the rest of the country.
In just a few years the 'new' wine has become so popular that over a third of the island's restaurants have it on their menu. The restaurants say that the only wines more popular are the national big three of Rioja, Penedés and Ribera del Duero.
To protect and enhance the growing reputation of Ibiza's wines, the agricultural authorities on the island have applied for a 'denominación de origen' which will give local wines international recognition.
Having said this, a survey by consultants ACNielson reveals that the wines are already extremely popular amongst foreign visitors to Ibiza who are curious to try local produce, but that the Ibicencos themselves are the ones who rarely buy any Ibiza wine!
