Spanish Islands (Baleriac & Canary Islands)

Question 1

Describe the Spanish Islands and their grape growing

Answer 1

Both Balearic and Canary Islands have become recognised for high quality wines from local grapes not grown anywhere else in the world

Question 2

Describe the Balearic Islands and their wines

Answer 2

• group of islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) - 95kms from eastern coast of Spain.
• 2 DOs witha number of VTs spread amongst other islands
• Key local grapes; Manto Negro (light coloured, high abv, red fruits), Callet (medium acid, med abv, red fruit flavours)
• Monastrell, Tempranillo & Malvasia are common
• International varieties; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay.
• Blends common

Question 3

Describe the Canary Islands and their wines

Answer 3

• off coast of Morocco, 500kms south of Maidera
• Tropical influence on climate
• Mountainous; vineyards can be as high as 1500m
• Mechanisation impossible
• Challenging topography and rugged nature leads to many aspects, both white and black grapes grow well
• No phylloxera is present; lots of own rooted vines
• Each island has a DO; Tenerife (largest island) has 5

Question 4

What are the grape varieties widely grown on the Canary Islands

Answer 4

• Listan Negro; Light, medium bodied, often carbonic maceration, some matured in oak
• Malvasia
• Listan Blanco (Palomino)
• Wide variety of Iberian wines grown, field blends common

Question 5

Describ the viticulture of Valle de Orotava DO in Tenerife

Answer 5

vine twisted together in ropes , trained on low wires, growing up hillsides

Question 6

Describe the island of Lanzarote growing conditions

Answer 6

• Flat, lots of volcanic ash
• Grape growers plant vines in craters dug into ash, partially surrounded by stone walls to protect from winds and capture moisture
• Low density and low yeilds
• Malvasia dominant grape, both dry and sweet