Canary Islands

Kanarische Inseln
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To Spain scoring Canary Islands (Spanish: Canarias) with approximately 7,500 sq km is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa. These are 1100 km from mainland Spain, Lanzarote is the easternmost island only 100 kilometers from Africa (Morocco) away. When the Romans in ancient times, landed on the island of Fuerteventura, they found several packs of wild dogs, so they called the island "Insula Canaria" (Dog Island). In 1402, a Spanish ship landed on Gran Canaria and found the indigenous Guanche ago, people lived like this in the stone age. The Spanish and Port Giesen brought to the end of this century with their native grape varieties and established viticulture. At that time, sweet, heavy alcohol wines were popular, which were pressed from the white varieties Moscatel and Malvasia. The wine was described as "Canary Sack" (see also Bag ) called and exported in large quantities to England and Northern Europe. At the time of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) the island's wine was already famous in "Twelfth Night" Sir Toby Belch calls for "a cup of canary."

The seven main islands Fuerteventura, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, Lanzarote, La Palma and Tenerife, which is operated on all wine. These are volcanic islands, the last eruption took place on La Palma in 1971. For this reason prevails on all volcanic islands, optimally suitable for viticulture soil. The vineyards cover 9,000 hectares. A special feature are the only ungrafted vines, as the archipelago of the phylloxera was spared. There are different depending DO range allowed more than 30 varieties, there are only a few more here. The main varieties are the Listán . The red varieties are Baboso Negro, Bastardo Negro Cabernet Sauvignon, Castellana Negra Listán Negro (Listán Prieto), Malvasia Rosada, Moscatel Negro, Negramoll, Pinot Noir, Rubi Cabernet, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tintilla (Garnacha Tinta, Vijariego Negro., The white wines are Albillo, Baboso Blanco, Burra Blanca, Forastera Blanca, Gual (Boal), Listán Blanco (Listán Floral), Malvasia, Moscatel, Marmajuelo (Bermejuela), Pedro Ximénez, Verdello Vijariego Blanco. Traditionally fortified sweet wines are developed and oxidative Rancio made .

El Hierro - here the Englishman John Hill planted the first vines in 1626. The terraced vineyards of the DO the same with almost 300 hectares rich in up to 700 meters above sea level. She is best known for white wines from the variety Vijariego Blanco. These account for around 70% of production and are produced from the other Canary varieties. The red wines are vinified primarily from Listán Negro and Negramoll. Muscatel is produced from the many years matured in chestnut barrels Rancios. The best sweet wines produced from grapes with noble rot.

Gran Canaria comprises approximately 450 hectares in up to 850 meters above sea level. There are two areas of Gran Canaria and DO Monte Lentiscal. The vineyards are located around the capital Las Palmas and in the northeast of the island. The most famous wine, which also established the DO status is "Tinto del Monte" (mountain wine) from the Listán Negro.

La Gomera is 370 km ², the second smallest island. The same DO covers about 100 hectares of vineyards on steep terraced slopes, which are secured by stone walls.

Lanzarote is a volcanic island par. In 1730 there was a six-year-long volcanic eruption that covered the entire island with black ash. The same DO covers about 2,300 hectares. There is extremely dry before, subtropical climate. The vines are planted (Hoyos) in artificial hollows and bordered with stone walls, to protect them from the wind. A specialty are fortified sweet wines. The best wines are made from up to a hundred year old vines. The winery was founded in 1775 "El Grifo" operates its own worth to Wine Museum, and is famous for its Malvasia wines.

La Palma is also known as "La Isla Bonita" (the beautiful island). The same DO with over 1,000 hectares consists of three subzones Fuencaliente Las Mancha, Hoyo de Mazo and Palma del Norte. 80% white wines are made from the classic varieties of the archipelago. The sweet wines produced from grapes with noble rot are also gespritet part. A specialty is the (not approved as DO) rancio white wine "Tea", which is made from the Albillo. It is called from a native pine species from which the 500-liter barrels are manufactured for extension.

Tenerife is just under 2,000 square kilometers, the largest of the Canary Islands. There are five DO regions. The south lies DO Abona covers 2,200 acres in up to 1,800 meters above sea level. Which lies on the west coast Tacoronte-Acentejo covers 1,800 acres and is named after the places Tacoronte and La Victoria de Acentejo. The hottest DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora covers the entire green north-west of the island. It is named after the ancient Guanche kingdoms Ycode and Daute, and the kingdom of Princess Isora. The steep vineyards up to 1,400 meters above sea level comprise 1,600 acres. Garachico became the main export port of the famous "Canary Sack." DO Valle de Guimar covers 750 acres and is named after the valley of the same name. The vineyards are located here in up to 1,400 meters above sea level. DO Valle de la Orotava comprises 700 acres and is named after the town of Orotava, on the northwest coast.