spanish wines - Canarias

Ikewen means “origin” in Amazigh. Amazigh is the name most commonly used today for the Indigenous peoples of North Africa, formerly often referred to as Berbers. The first inhabitants of the Canary Islands also had North African roots. With this name, Carmelo Peña pays tribute to his family and to the people who helped him establish Bien de Altura. Ikewen is the village wine of San Mateo, a high-altitude area of Gran Canaria where the Bien de Altura project began. The wine is a blend of several plots in the north-east of the island, located at altitudes ranging from approximately 1,100 to 1,460 metres.

Bimbache is the name of the first inhabitants of El Hierro. This original white has a both Atlantic and exotic character. Fully organic, non-interventionist white, with a minimal dose of added sulphur at bottling.

Bimbache is the name of the first inhabitants of El Hierro. The island mainly produces white wine but this Bimbache Tinto is an exception. It is made with Listan Negro, blended with some Listan Pieto and Verijadiego tinto. Organic and non-interventionist estate. Only a small dose of sulphur is added at bottling.

Grand Cruz del Calvario is Bimbache's most extreme vineyard, on the North Coast of El Hierro, where the Atlantic influence is the most obvious. The wines coming from this windy and humid area is naturally low in alcohol but has a high acidity. What a structure!

With some tongue in cheek humour, the Bimbache team has called this Blanc de Noirs Miguelito Jackson. It is the rarest of their crus.

Benje is the name of a nearby crater which the Listán Bianco comes from.

Benje is the name of a nearby crater which the Listán Bianco comes from.

Benje is the name of a nearby crater which the Listan Prieto comes from, near Santiago del Teide (Tenerife). The vines are located some 1,000 metres above sea level.

La Santa de Úrsula is the latest red addition from the top winery Envinate. For me personally, also the most beautiful. Sourced from two different plots in the Tacoronte region. A fine blend primarily of Listan with Negramoll. The most Burgundian of the red wines!

La Santa de Úrsula is the latest red addition from the top winery Envinate. For me personally, also the most beautiful. Sourced from two different plots in the Tacoronte region. A fine blend primarily of Listan with Negramoll. The most Burgundian of the red wines!

Migan is made from old vines in La Orotava, where the white Palo Blanco is also produced. Here too, we find the classic Cordón Trenzado, or braided vineyards—unique vineyards rich in history, always marked by their typical volcanic characteristics. The best red from this region!

Migan is made from old vines in La Orotava, where the white Palo Blanco is also produced. Here too, we find the classic Cordón Trenzado, or braided vineyards—unique vineyards rich in history, always marked by their typical volcanic characteristics. The best red from this region!

Behind the Envinate project, one of the most prominent of Spain's new generation, are Roberto Santana, Alfonso Torrente, Laura Ramos, and José Martínez. The four met in 2005 while studying oenology at the University of Alicante and formed a team.

Behind the Envinate project, one of the most prominent of Spain's new generation, are Roberto Santana, Alfonso Torrente, Laura Ramos, and José Martínez. The four met in 2005 while studying oenology at the University of Alicante and formed a team.

Undoubtedly one of Envínate's top white wines. The vineyards are located in the La Orotava subzone, on the northwest side of Tenerife. This beautiful Listan blanco comes from the 'Los Realejos' vineyard at an altitude of 850 m. Barely 1.2 ha. The vineyard, planted on pure volcanic rock in "cordon trenzado"—a braided pattern—gives this wine a truly unique character.

Táganan is a village on the North-Western side of the Teide, on the island of Tenerife. The vines are quite close to the coast. This cuvée blends different terroirs from Taraconte.

Margalagua is a single vineyard located between 100 and 250 metre above sea level and managed by José Angel Alonso. Its old vines are a good illustration of the history of agriculture on Tenerife - notably the complantation of diverse grape varietals on the same plot of land. The ungrafted vines are more than 100 years old (the Canary islands are free of phylloxera) and grow nearly wild. The North coast of Tenerife has a somewhat temperate climate that allows the grapes to reach a good alcool potential and preserve their acidity. The hardest challenges are the winds coming from the Atlantic or Africa, and the great fluctuations of humidity in the air.