El protagonismo de la viña en la agricultura menorquina de los siglos XVII y XVIII

This study analyses the evolution of agriculture in Minorca during the 17th and 18th centuries, highlighting the ascendancy of viticulture. The research is based on the analysis of tithe collection, and also on records of crops and prices of wine, and the extension of vineyard plantations, which can be surmised from the manifestos de bienes. The results cast new light on the evolution of the agricultural economy of this insular region during the centuries studied and also provide extensive information on the evolution of agricultural prices. The 17th century economic crisis was more benign than expected, and recovery was robust after 1691. During the 18th century, Minorca experienced inflation and a major expansion of wine production. However, grain production grew at a lower rate than in the previous century. Viticulture was the more dynamic of the two throughout the period examined, but the expansion of vineyards ended around 1760, coinciding with a decrease in po­pulation growth and stagnation of wine prices, set by local authorities. This wasonly overcome after 1793, when prices recovered and administrative controls were relaxed, suggests the contractive effects of the economic intervention of Ancien Regime authorities.