Gran Canaria

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The volcanic soils display great diversity, ranging from the most arid, hard, and basaltic soils formed by ancient eruptions to very loose lapilli or picón (volcanic cinder) soils.
• The vineyard is cultivated from the coast to the summits, in small to medium-sized plots arranged on terraces or on the slopes of ravines with moderate to steep gradients.
• The arrangement of the vineyard on terraces or ravine slopes, and its exposure to different aspects, gives rise to a mosaic of cultivation influenced by diverse environmental factors and microclimates.
• The temperate climate is dominated by the trade winds and by warm currents originating from the African continent, favouring an extended growing season.
• The island receives a high number of sunshine hours per year and enjoys consistent temperatures, conditions that encourage overripening of the grapes on the vine.

• Viticulture in Gran Canaria dates back to the end of the fifteenth century, with the first vines arriving from Crete; by the sixteenth century the wines were being exported to England, Flanders, Hamburg, and the New World. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The current Gran Canaria PDO was established in January 2006 following the merger of the two preceding appellations, D.O. Monte Lentiscal and D.O. Gran Canaria, which had been granted in November 1999 and May 2000 respectively. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The red wines display a solid structure, with well-integrated tannins that lend them body and longevity, along with a broad range of aromatic nuances depending on grape variety and ageing.
• The white wines show notable aromatic intensity and balanced acidity that delivers freshness and persistence, with minerality contributed by the volcanic soils.

• The minerality of the volcanic soils adds complexity and depth to the island's white wines.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (pliego de condiciones).

All appellations in Spain

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• National pliego de condiciones (PDF)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-A0112
• Official trade body site — D.O. Gran Canaria