Back from holidays visiting friends and family in the Canary Islands. What a fantastic couple of weeks, amazing beaches in Fuerteventura, incredible landscape in Tenerife.
We were lucky enough to visit all five wine regions in Tenerife. Starting with Abona and Valle de Güimar in the South, the best wines we found were aromatic and refreshing whites, fantastic with fish. In the north of Tenerife (Ycoden, la Orotava and Tacoronte Acentejo) they also have good whites (particularly in La Orotava), although we found their reds generally better.
We also had the opportunity to visit some traditional "guachinches": improvised restaurants where the locals go for dinner and wine. They are spare spaces made into eateries (they look it) and offer the local food (whatever is in season) with wines often made by the owners. These establishments are inexpensive (€10-15 per person for two/three courses including wine) and enjoy a special tax status as the local government is keen to keep this old Canarian tradition going. You go there for Canarian home made food and wine (not fancy restaurants) and it is a wonderful experience worth repeating.
The Canary Islands are home to some grape varieties found nowhere else. Some vines are over 100 years old as phylloxera never made it into the Canaries. They therefore have ungrafted vines, some of the rarest and oldest in the world.
We tried many wines, one rare mono varietal from "baboso negro" ("dark slime") grape which was particularly delicious. Out of the main stream wines we loved the Marba tinto barrica (oaked red) made of Listán Tinto and Negramoll negro. Listán Tinto is the red version of the Palomino grape widely used in Spain, although particularly in Andalucia where is famous for being the main grape in Sherry.
APPEARANCE
Clarity: clear
Intensity: deep
Colour: ruby
NOSE
Condition: clean
Intensity: medium
Aroma characteristics: blackberry, clove, light oak, hint of vanilla
PALATE
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: medium
Tannins: medium
Body: medium
Flavours: blackberry, black cherry, smoke, chocolate finish
Finish: medium to long
CONCLUSION
Very good. The perfect compliment to strong cheese and Iberian ham as it enhances the flavour. Also good with red meats and casseroles.
We were lucky enough to visit all five wine regions in Tenerife. Starting with Abona and Valle de Güimar in the South, the best wines we found were aromatic and refreshing whites, fantastic with fish. In the north of Tenerife (Ycoden, la Orotava and Tacoronte Acentejo) they also have good whites (particularly in La Orotava), although we found their reds generally better.
We also had the opportunity to visit some traditional "guachinches": improvised restaurants where the locals go for dinner and wine. They are spare spaces made into eateries (they look it) and offer the local food (whatever is in season) with wines often made by the owners. These establishments are inexpensive (€10-15 per person for two/three courses including wine) and enjoy a special tax status as the local government is keen to keep this old Canarian tradition going. You go there for Canarian home made food and wine (not fancy restaurants) and it is a wonderful experience worth repeating.
The Canary Islands are home to some grape varieties found nowhere else. Some vines are over 100 years old as phylloxera never made it into the Canaries. They therefore have ungrafted vines, some of the rarest and oldest in the world.
We tried many wines, one rare mono varietal from "baboso negro" ("dark slime") grape which was particularly delicious. Out of the main stream wines we loved the Marba tinto barrica (oaked red) made of Listán Tinto and Negramoll negro. Listán Tinto is the red version of the Palomino grape widely used in Spain, although particularly in Andalucia where is famous for being the main grape in Sherry.
APPEARANCE
Clarity: clear
Intensity: deep
Colour: ruby
NOSE
Condition: clean
Intensity: medium
Aroma characteristics: blackberry, clove, light oak, hint of vanilla
PALATE
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: medium
Tannins: medium
Body: medium
Flavours: blackberry, black cherry, smoke, chocolate finish
Finish: medium to long
CONCLUSION
Very good. The perfect compliment to strong cheese and Iberian ham as it enhances the flavour. Also good with red meats and casseroles.
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