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Wine from Canary Islands
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The Canary Islands wine region is a fascinating and unique winemaking area located off the northwest coast of Africa, though politically a part of Spain. These islands have a long history of viticulture, dating back to the 15th century when the Spanish first introduced vine cultivation. The wines from the Canary Islands have been celebrated for centuries, even finding their way into Shakespeare's works. The region's volcanic soil, diverse microclimates, and ancient grape varieties contribute to the production of distinctive and highly regarded wines.
Geography and Climate
The Canary Islands are an archipelago composed of several islands, with Tenerife, Lanzarote, and La Palma among the most notable for wine production. The region's volcanic terrain provides a rich and porous soil, which is excellent for vine growth. This volcanic influence is a defining characteristic of Canary Islands wines, imparting a unique minerality.
The climate across the islands is varied, ranging from the cooler, wetter north to the hotter, drier south. However, the prevailing winds and the influence of the Atlantic Ocean moderate the climate, making it suitable for viticulture. The islands' vineyards can be found at various altitudes, from sea level up to the slopes of the volcanic mountains, creating a wide range of microclimates and allowing for the cultivation of different grape varieties and wine styles.
Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
The Canary Islands are home to a number of indigenous grape varieties, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. These include:
Listán Blanco and Listán Negro: The most widely planted white and red grapes in the Canary Islands, respectively.
Malvasia Volcánica: A variety particularly associated with Lanzarote, known for producing aromatic and minerally white wines.
Marmajuelo, Gual, and Bujariego (or Albillo Criollo): Other notable white varieties.
Negramoll and Baboso Negro: Red varieties that produce deeply colored and expressive wines.
The wines from the Canary Islands range from crisp, aromatic whites to robust, full-bodied reds. The region also produces some rosés and sweet wines, the latter traditionally made from Malvasia grapes.
Recognition and Appellations
The Canary Islands have several Denominations of Origin (DOs), recognizing the distinct wine-producing areas within the islands. These DOs include:
Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de la Orotava, Ycoden-Daute-Isora, and Abona on Tenerife.
La Palma, El Hierro, and La Gomera cover other islands.
Each of these areas has its own specific regulations governing viticulture and winemaking practices, reflecting the diversity of the archipelago's wine production.
Modern Wine Scene
In recent years, Canary Islands wines have gained international acclaim for their quality and uniqueness. The region's winemakers are increasingly focused on sustainable practices, reflecting the islands' delicate ecosystems. Many producers are working with old vines, practicing organic and biodynamic viticulture, and reviving ancient winemaking traditions to create wines that are expressive of their unique terroir.
The Canary Islands' wine region is a captivating blend of history, unique terroir, and dynamic winemaking, offering wine enthusiasts an intriguing array of flavors and styles to explore.
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Red wine made with a blend of the Listán Negro and Syrah grape varieties. Listán Negro brings an Atlantic character that’s fresh and lively while Syrah, grown on our family vineyards, provides the necessary structure for ageing in barrels. Limited production of 17,940 bottles.
Both varietals are made separately and a blending of the two is done prior to malolactic fermentation. This second fermentation takes place in 500-litre French oak barrels with different toast levels in order to increase the complexity and balance between the fruit and the wood. This wine is then aged for six months. It’s then bottle aged for six months, adding roundness and smoothness.
Appearance: Deep burgundy color with medium intensity, clear and bright.
Aroma: Complex thanks to the blending of varietals and its ageing in oak barrels. Notes of red fruits (blackcurrant or raspberry), toasted hints of toffee or caramel, with a decidedly Atlantic character. The Listán Negro grape variety gives it balsamic notes (mint or eucalyptus), making it an even more complex wine.
Taste: Ariana is a fresh, well-balanced, long-lived wine with smooth, round tannins providing structure
El Grifo Lias Malvasia Volcanica is made from 100% Malvasia Volcanica.
Color: Straw yellow, with light golden hues. Clear and bright.
Aroma: Medium-high intensity of a wine in evolution. Fresh, citrus (orange peel) and tropical (passion fruit and mango) fruits. Flowers (orange blossom, jasmine, violets), fennel, and complex aromas such as silex or flint (phosphorus). Yeast autolysis is reminiscent of the aromas of baked goods and yeast. Bottle ageing brings out hints of dried fruits, honey and caramel.
Taste: Full-bodied, with a lengthy and unctuous texture, very strong natural acidity, citrus freshness, mineral notes and saltiness. Persistent finish.
Residual Sugar 0.5 g/L
Total Acidity 6.02 g/L
pH 3.36
Total SO2 91 mg/L
Red wine made with a blend of the Listán Negro and Syrah grape varieties. Listán Negro brings an Atlantic character that’s fresh and lively while Syrah, grown on our family vineyards, provides the necessary structure for ageing in barrels. Limited production of 17,940 bottles.
Both varietals are made separately and a blending of the two is done prior to malolactic fermentation. This second fermentation takes place in 500-litre French oak barrels with different toast levels in order to increase the complexity and balance between the fruit and the wood. This wine is then aged for six months. It’s then bottle aged for six months, adding roundness and smoothness.
Appearance: Deep burgundy color with medium intensity, clear and bright.
Aroma: Complex thanks to the blending of varietals and its ageing in oak barrels. Notes of red fruits (blackcurrant or raspberry), toasted hints of toffee or caramel, with a decidedly Atlantic character. The Listán Negro grape variety gives it balsamic notes (mint or eucalyptus), making it an even more complex wine.
Taste: Ariana is a fresh, well-balanced, long-lived wine with smooth, round tannins providing structure
El Grifo Lias Malvasia Volcanica is made from 100% Malvasia Volcanica.
Color: Straw yellow, with light golden hues. Clear and bright.
Aroma: Medium-high intensity of a wine in evolution. Fresh, citrus (orange peel) and tropical (passion fruit and mango) fruits. Flowers (orange blossom, jasmine, violets), fennel, and complex aromas such as silex or flint (phosphorus). Yeast autolysis is reminiscent of the aromas of baked goods and yeast. Bottle ageing brings out hints of dried fruits, honey and caramel.
Taste: Full-bodied, with a lengthy and unctuous texture, very strong natural acidity, citrus freshness, mineral notes and saltiness. Persistent finish.
Residual Sugar 0.5 g/L
Total Acidity 6.02 g/L
pH 3.36
Total SO2 91 mg/L
Showing 1 to 4 of 4 (1 Pages)
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All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Clos Saint-Jean is a 41-hectare estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape run by brothers Vincent and Pascal Maurel. Considered by many critics and wine-writers as the preeminent estate espousing the modern style of winemaking in Châteauneuf, this cellar is one of the oldest in the region, having been founded in 1900 by the greatgreat-grandfather of Vincent and Pascal, Edmund Tacussel. A short time after its founding and well before the AOP of Chateauneuf-du-Pape was created in 1923, Edmund began bottling estate wines in 1910.
The farming at Clos Saint-Jean is fully sustainable due to the warm and dry climate, which prevents the need for chemical inputs. Instead, Vincent and Pascal employ organic methods for pest control, mainly pheromones, to prevent pests from taking up residence in their vines, a process called amusingly enough in French, confusion sexuelle. The vines tended manually, and harvest is conducted in several passes entirely by hand.
Combe des Fous literally means, the hill of the fool. The hill, in this case, is located in the far southern reach of Le Crau which was left barren for many centuries because the layer of galets was so exceedingly deep that everyone assumed vines could never survive there. The fool in this situation is Edmund Tacussel, the great-great-grandfather of Vincent and Pascal Maruel who planted a Grenache vineyard on this site in 1905. That old-vine Grenache form the heart of this cuvée with a small amount of Syrah, Cinsault and Vaccarèse. La Combe des Fous is only made in the best vintages.
Review:
This has good concentration and energy to the dense core of dark fruit and bitter cherry, with great poise and elegance despite its ripeness (an impressive feat for the vintage). Guided by finely crushed mineral accents and tannins, this reveals pretty high-toned floral notes and leafy tobacco. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Vaccarese and Muscardin. Drink now through 2032. 900 cases made.
-Wine Spectator 95 Points
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