Lanzarote
Lanzarote (, , ) is a Spanish island, the easternmost of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is located approximately off the north coast of Africa and from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering , Lanzarote is the fourth-largest of the i ...
, in the
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Morocc ...
, Spain. It acquired its DO in 1994, and there are currently around 1,800 ha under cultivation.
There are four subzones:
* La Geria, the largest and located in the south
* San Bartolomé/Tías (Masdache), in the centre
*
Tinajo
Tinajo is a place in the municipality with the same name Tinajo in the western portion of the island of Lanzarote in the Las Palmas province in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canari ...
Lanzarote, the easternmost island in the Canary Islands has a unique and spectacular landscape in that the centre of the island is covered by solidified black lava (from a volcanic eruption in 1730–36). This means that nothing can grow there, but around the edges of this mass of lava, conditions are ideal for vines due to the presence of a layer of volcanic ash, known as
lapilli
Lapilli is a size classification of tephra, which is material that falls out of the air during a volcanic eruption or during some meteorite impacts. ''Lapilli'' (singular: ''lapillus'') is Latin for "little stones".
By definition lapilli range f ...
or ''picón''. This layer of ash allows quick absorption of rain, prevents it from evaporating, and helps to maintain constant the temperature of the soil underneath.
The vines are planted in holes or ditches so that their roots can reach the soil under the ash. Each hole or ditch is surrounded by a stone wall to protect the vine from the winds.
Climate
Lanzarote, being the island closest to Africa, is affected by the continent's dry subtropical climate.
Frost
Frost is a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from water vapor in an above-freezing atmosphere coming in contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below freezing, and resulting in a phase change from water vapor (a gas) ...
is unknown on the island. The sea breezes provide a temperate maritime climate. The mean temperatures range from 16 °C to 34 °C.
Rainfall is very low (200 mm) and irregular throughout the year.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon () is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Australia and British Columbia, Canada to Lebanon' ...
,
Merlot
Merlot is a dark blue–colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name ''Merlot'' is thought to be a diminutive of ''merle'', the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the ...
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir () is a red-wine grape variety of the species ''Vitis vinifera''. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from pinot noir grapes. The name is derived from the French language, French words for ''pine'' and ''black.' ...
,
Ruby Cabernet
Ruby Cabernet is a red Olmo grape variety that is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan, it can produce wines with good colour and a pleasant cherry flavour, but is mostly blended into bulk wines.Robinson, Jancis ''Vines, Grapes & Wi ...
,
Syrah
Syrah (), also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. In 1999, Syrah was found to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse B ...
,
Tempranillo
Tempranillo (also known as Ull de Llebre, Cencibel, Tinto Fino and Tinta del Pais in Spain, Aragonez or Tinta Roriz in Portugal, and several other synonyms elsewhere) is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in its ...
Moscatel de Alejandría
Muscat of Alexandria is a white wine grape that is a member of the Muscat family of ''Vitis vinifera''. It is considered an "ancient vine", and wine experts believe it is one of the oldest genetically unmodified vines still in existence.J. Robin ...
Torrontés
Torrontés is a white grape variety, mostly produced and known in Argentine wine, producing fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity, smooth texture and mouthfeel as well as distinctive peach and apricot aromas on the nose.Robinson, Jancis ''V ...