Canary Islands, SPAIN

WINES PURVEYORS OF MOCKTAILS SPICE UP FOR THE NEW YEAR YOUR PAIRINGS WINE ENTHUSIAST WINE 540+ REVIEWED PINOT NOIR FEBRUARY 2017 SPARKLING WINE SPARKLING SPARKLING FOR EVERY OCCASION TOP TOP 10 WINE DESTINATIONS 10 WINE DESTINATIONS TOP 10 WINE GETAWAYS 2017 BURGUNDY BURGUNDY MOCKTAILS MOCKTAILS VINTAGE CHART VINTAGE $5.99 US & CANADA THE WORLD’S FEBRUARY 2017 FEBRUARY GREATEST VINTAGE CHART Winemag.com Portugal Spain Madeira LA PALMA Canary Islands LANZAROTE TENERIFE Canary Islands, SPAIN CanaryGOMERA Islands FUERTEVENTURA Morocco Island living awaits, with wine at your doorstep. HIERRO GRAN CANARIA Unique amongAlgeria European viticulture, the wines of the Canary Islands are ungrafted, meaning they grow on their own ancient root stocks. Wine from Las Islas Canarias has been held in high esteem since at least the time of Shakespeare Western Sahara (he mentions “Canary” wine in five plays), yet only recently have bottles washed up on our shores. This windswept volcanic archipelago off the coast of Africa consists of seven main islands, five of which have one appellation each Ribera del Rio Miño MOROCCO PROMINENT WINES for wine. Tenerife, the largest island has five more. Indigenous grapes grown in black lava are made into white, rosé Indigenous varieties reign on the and red wines that deliver rich minerality and touches of seaborne salinity. —Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen Canary Islands, including two strains of Albillo and at least three different WHERE TO DINE WHEN TO GO native Malvasia grapes. Other white In Tenerife, Terrazas del Sauzal serves up Visit in the spring and fall, when temperatures grapes that flourish here but are grilled seafood and meats, accompanied by are at their best. known by different names elsewhere Mauritania include Listan Blanco (Palomino Fino wines from the Canaries and the Spanish main- in Jerez), Verdello and Gual (Verdelho land. Enjoy them while taking in panormas of WHERE TO TASTE and Boal in Madeira, respectively). the sea and the volcano, Mount Teide. A wide On Tenerife, Casa del Vino is a wine museum The most widely planted red grape is Mali selection of Lanzarote wine is poured alongside that includes exhibits, a vine garden, tasting Listán Negro—it’s the famed Mission Spanish and international specialties at Lani’s room and restaurant. Bodegas Suertes del grape brought to the Americas by Restaurant & Café, which features a glamor- Marques offers majestic rolling vineyards at al- Spanish missionaries. While sweet ous sea-view terrace. At Restaurante Ribera titudes up to 2,400 feet. A rustic tasting room wine has been made here for centu- del Rio Miño, on Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, pours 13 wines made with indigenous varieties. ries, dry wines are now more in favor, Galician cuisine and wines that span the globe At Bodegas Monje, where the Monje family has signifying that Canary winemaking is are served in a classic dining room. made wines since 1750, there is a variety of tast- entering the modern era. ing and dining options, including 15 wines made Lani’s Restaurant & Café WHERE TO STAY from local varieties. On Gran Canaria, Bodega On Gran Canaria, Gloria Palace San Augustin Los Berrazales serves dry and semi-sweet Thalasso & Hotel is a luxurious seafront resort. wines. This family-run finca grew oranges and Indigenous grapes grown in Its Basque restaurant offers panoramic views, coffee before grapes were planted. The winery black lava are made into white, plus the hotel offers a more casual dining op- and tasting room at Bodega Vega de Gáldar rosé and red wines that deliver tion and several bars, as well as a full-service is a converted farmhouse and stable, while its spa. Hotel San Roque (Tenerife) is located vineyards were once the grounds of a convent. LOCAL IN THE KNOW rich minerality. inside a historic manor house. The rooms are Bodegas El Grifo in Lanzarote is the oldest Roberto Santana, the winemaker decorated with contemporary furniture and art. winery in the Canary Islands and said to be and cofounder of Envínate, says, San Roque’s restaurant offers local and Medi- among the 10 oldest in Spain. “It’s always surprising to see the terranean cuisine paired with native, Spanish and international wines. different landscapes in Teide Casa Museo César Manrique National Park. You can hike OTHER ACTIVITIES in nearby Anaga Rural Park, a Strong winds and rocky beaches limit sunbath- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with ing to hotel pools, but you can explore lush for- very old vineyards that have been ests and eerie volcanic terrain by mountain bike preserved for centuries. I also like or foot. The best golf courses are on Tenerife to hike down the ravines of the and Gran Canaria, while links are also found on Masca Gorge, where the beach Lanzarote, La Gomera and Fuerteventura. can only be reached on foot or by BUDGET TIP boat. You can hike down and then Artist César Manrique’s home and museum at take a boat ride back to the town Lanzarote showcases the intersection of tradi- of Los Gigantes.” tional architecture and modern art. Manrique’s studio has been left intact, and other artists’ works are exhibited on a rotating basis. PHOTO CREDIT PHOTO JIMINEZ MATEOS RAUL DELSART, THIERRY 50 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | FEBRUARY 2017 WINEMAG.COM | 51 .

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