THE CANARY ISLANDS

Some months ago, Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate correspondent in Spain, published an article about The Canary Islands.

The critic confimed that the region is heading for great things, with several winemakers already producing great wines, and others showing real promise. 

On the other hand, at the beginning of January the Wine Enthusiast magazine chose the Canary Islands as one of the Best Wine destinations for 2017.

Because of its rich array of native varieties, abundance of volcanic soils and Atlantic influence, the Canary Islands have an immense potential for producing first-class wines.

Besides, since the phylloxera plague never reached the islands, today the region enjoys the distinction of being the only European region planted solely with ungrafted vines, that is to say, vines that grow on their ancient root stocks.

This fact lends a unique character to Canarian wines.

We present you with a selection of wines produced by wineries that received good Parker scores.

Let's begin with two Canarian white wines. El Grifo Malvasía Seco Colección 2015 is a Malvasía from Lanzarote, exotic and savoury.

Viñátigo Gual 2012, produced in Tenerife by Bodegas Viñátigo, is a single varietal Gual-an indigenous variety also known as Boal in Madeira.- Original and intense.

Now two characteristic, unconventional red wines produced by Suertes del Marqués, one of the wineries at the forefront of the new wave of Canarian producers.  

The first is 7 Fuentes Vino de Villa 2014, made from Listán Negro and Tintilla de Rota. Fresh, deep and mineral.

The second is Suertes del Marqués El Lance 2015, made from a complex blend of Listán Negro, Baboso Negro, Vijariego Negro and other local varieties. A truly excellent value.

Until our next post,

Enjoy wine