Vines were introduced to the Canary Islands between the 14th and 15th centuries by conquerors and settlers who brought with them the best vines available, eager to make wine as soon as possible.
Canarian wines became the first fortified wines in the world to engage in significant maritime trade, serving as the main source of wealth for the archipelago for nearly three centuries. Throughout history, these wines have improved with each journey they made.
These wines were and continue to be favoured by kings and renowned figures such as Alexander I, Tsar of Russia, Francis I of France, and the Spanish King Charles III, who reportedly “drank up to three cups daily of wine imported from the Canary Islands.” The Spanish royal family, Prince Charles of England, and Barack Obama are among others who have toasted with these wines.
Thanks to the geographical isolation, Canarian vines were spared from devastating epidemics like phylloxera, which decimated European vineyards. This has allowed the islands to preserve ancient grape varieties that, in Europe, can only be tasted in the Canary Islands.
Currently, the vines are spread across 11 Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs), with varieties exclusive to the Canary Islands, some over 500 years old. White varieties include Listán Blanco, Malvasía, Gual, Albillo Criollo, Vijariego, Moscatel, Marmajuelo, and Verdello. Red varieties include Listán Negro, Baboso Negro, Negramoll, and Tintilla.
Canarian settlers were responsible for bringing vines from the islands to America, along with their cultivation methods.
Canarian wines are made from grapes of ancient, ungrafted vines, which means they have not been grafted onto American rootstocks to resist phylloxera but come from native plants unaffected by the pest that devastated European vineyards in the 19th century.
These wines are distinguished by a unique and different taste. Grown in volcanic soils, with a variety of microclimates and benefiting from the humidity of the trade winds, Canarian wines stand out for their singular geographical characteristics. They surprise with their range of colours, aromatic richness, and extraordinary minerality. It’s no wonder they have been awarded numerous times by the most discerning national and international judges.
