Why do we grow wine in Tenerife? ď‚– Ancient Greek people exported their passion for the wine and how to grow it to the Mediterranean countries.
Grapevines were introduced in the islands in the second half of the XV century by Spanish and Portuguese settlers to cover their own wine needs.
Why are there so many types of wine in Tenerife ?
The new settlers from all over Spain, Portugal, France, the Low Countries and Genoa planted their different vines in an attempt to make high quality wines producing a variety of mixtures that were impossible in other wine growing regions.
Climatic reason: The vines soon acclimatised and flourish right from the beginning because of the varied climate and the rich volcanic soils.
Which were the wine routes? Europe: most of the cargo America: wine from the went to the ports of London and Antwerp but also to other European markets.
Canary Islands went with the settlers as there were no vineyards on the other side of the Atlantic.
Which were the important ports in Tenerife? ď‚– ď‚™ During some time Tenerife had several ports in rich natural
districts but with poor natural conditions ( Garachico and La Orotava). ď‚™ Although the wine growing area of Santa Cruz was poor, at this time the port started to become important for the island, so gradually it became the main port for exporting Tenerife wine.
Who have mentioned the wines of Tenerife?
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Has there been innovation in wine production? ď‚–
ď‚™ A wide range of techniques and machinery have been used in making quality wines, from the traditional grape treading in vats and the oak barrels to the modern pneumatic presses and the stainless steel tanks.
What is a mark of origin? The mark of origin is the recognition and guarantee that is given to a food product at a Regional, National or International level. It guarantees the quality and prestige of a product.
The wines of Tenerife have five marks of origin. Each mark has improved its facilities and the training of its technicians as the industry has grown to offer high-quality wines
How was a traditional rafter winepress? It was a rectangular floor building with a gable roof, a tank to tread the grapes and to collect the must. The mechanical parts were a rafter of about 15 metres long and 90 cm wide and a steelyard balance with its stone and spindle.
Nowadays they are not in use and they are like sculptures to pay homage to vine growers.
Our rafter winepress model ď‚–