Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest, central, and most populated island of the seven Canary Islands. The island attracts more than 5 million tourists each year, but most tourists do not know that this beautiful land is home to some excellent wines. Vineyards in Tenerife are located in the northern part of the islands and are divided into 2 subregions; Tacoronte-Acentejo and Ycoden. Mount Teide shapes the majority of the regions, and many vineyards are located on the mountain's lower slopes. The volcanic soil in which the grapes are grown adds a unique flavor to the wines. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the world's largest, is held in the region.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Tenerife!

Where is the Tenerife wine region?

Tenerife is the most central island in the Canary Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean just 100 km from the African coast. Although the island belongs to Spain, the island is approximately 2000km from Spain’s capital, Madrid. Most important vineyards are present in the North of the island. Tenerife is dominated by Mount Teide, Spain's highest mountain and third largest volcano in the world, which rises 3,718 meters above sea level. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the Tenerife island and is also the seat of the island council. 

History of the Tenerife wine region

Viticulture and winemaking on the Tenerife island date back to 15th century and were introduced by the Spanish. The island boasts several indigenous grape varieties and some are found only on Tenerife island as most of these varieties were wiped out around the world due to Phylloxera infestation. Tenerife island survived the infestation as it was far away from the infected area around Europe. In the 16-17th century, the major market for wines of Tenerife was England, even Shakespeare admired these wines in many of his plays. The Catholic Church also aided in the spread of Canarian wines around the world. Even kings and queens at the Swedish-Finnish court, according to Shakespeare, enjoyed the occasional "cup of canary."

The terroir and geography of the Tenerife wine region

This beautiful island covers 2034 sq km yet boasts several microclimates with huge differences in elevation across the region. The locals say that the climate changes every 100 meters or so. The region is largely tropical with temperatures averaging around 22 degrees celsius annually. Winemakers in the region claim that the island is the second sunniest wine region in the world after the Atacama desert. The southern region of the island is drier with low rainfall which is favorable for white grape varietals mainly Listán Blanco. Volcanic soils, particularly in the north, have excellent drainage properties that help retain humidity while also encouraging roots to grow deep in search of precious water. 

Popular grape varieties from the Tenerife wine region

The most famous grape variety in the region is Malvasia but there are a lot of varieties to keep the wine enthusiasts counting for a while. The wine region escaped the phylloxera infestation due to its isolated location which saved a lot of varieties that were wiped out from the rest of the world. Malvasia grapes are the region's oldest variety and are mostly white, though red varieties do exist. Wines are typically sweet, though many dry or semi-dry products are now available. The fresh, aromatic flavor complements cheese but can also be served with sweet desserts.

Food to pair with Tenerife wine 

Freginat

Freginat is a traditional Catalan dish from the town of Lleida in Catalonia. The dish is typically made with a combination of thinly sliced boneless pork, pork liver, white beans, onions, lard, bacon, salt, and black pepper. Freginat, a Catalan word, could be a derivative of the Catalan verb "de fregir," which means "to fry." The pork is seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste, then simmered in hot oil for a few minutes before serving.

Polbo á feira

Polbo á feira is a traditional Galician dish also known as Polbo á feira or pulpo estilo feira. The dish is prepared by boiling the octopus, preferably tentacles. The tentacles are then sliced and seasoned with coarse salt, paprika, and olive oil in copper cauldrons. The cauldrons add a distinct flavor to the dish that is said to be impossible to achieve with any other material. Traditionally, the dish is served on wooden plates with bread. Because it is customary not to drink water when eating octopus, the dish is usually accompanied by young Galician red wine. It is suggested that you serve the dish with a glass of red wine from the Tenerife on the side.

Gyoza

Gyoza is a Chinese dumpling that is popular throughout China and East Asia. The taste slightly differs from region to region to accommodate the local taste. Gyoza is traditionally made with seasoned ground meat and/or vegetable filling stuffed in a thinly rolled piece of dough and sealed by pressing the edges together. There are several designs for rolling the dough and the most famous design is crescent-shaped. Gyozas are usually served with black vinegar and sesame dip. Some variations also include soups on the side mostly in the winters. They're traditionally prepared in three ways. The most well-known is pan-fried gyoza also known as Kothey, which is fried and then steamed briefly. Other varieties include boiled gyoza, which is typically served in broth, and the less common deep-fried variety.

Places to visit in the Tenerife wine region

Tenerife island is widely recognized as a sandy paradise in the entire world but there are a lot of areas that you can explore while visiting this spectacular island. 

La Laguna Cathedral

La Laguna Cathedral is a historic Roman Catholic church located in the heart of Santa Cruz-La Laguna, the island's capital. The construction of this stunning Romanesque structure began in the early 16th century. With the establishment of the Bishopric of Tenerife by Pius VII in 1819, the structure was transformed into a cathedral. The cathedral was demolished in the late nineteenth century, leaving only the front Neoclassical facade standing. The new cathedral, built on the same site, began construction in 1904 and was completed in 1915. The new structure was designed in neogothic style, with three wide aisles surrounding the altar. The remains of the 1820 facade are spectacular, and this cathedral should not be missed.

Cave of the Guanches

Tenerife's Cave of the Guanches is an important archeological site. These caves provided shelter for the island's native people, Guan Chinech, who was discovered by Portuguese explorers and missionaries during their visit in the early 14th century. The caves are in inaccessible ravines, cliffs, or crags and are relatively intact, revealing new insights into cave habitation and Guanche ritual burial practices. These caves, which were once a village of natural caves and huts at the top of a cliff about 125 meters above sea level, date back to the 6th century BCE. The cave has been designated as a Site of Cultural Interest by the Canary Islands Government.

Frequently asked questions about Tenerife