Lanzarote is a Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) for

wine Wine is an alcoholic drink made from Fermentation in winemaking, fermented fruit. Yeast in winemaking, Yeast consumes the sugar in the fruit and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Wine is most often made f ...

s that covers the entire island of

Lanzarote Lanzarote (, , ) is a Spanish island, the easternmost of the Canary Islands, off the north coast of Africa and from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering , Lanzarote is the fourth-largest of the islands in the archipelago. With 163,230 inhabi ...

, in the

Canary Islands The Canary Islands (; ) or Canaries are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and the southernmost Autonomous communities of Spain, Autonomous Community of Spain. They are located in the northwest of Africa, with the closest point to the cont ...

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

. 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, in the centre-west * Haría-Ye, in the north

Geography and soils

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 Lava is molten or partially molten rock (magma) that has been expelled from the interior of a terrestrial planet (such as Earth) or a Natural satellite, moon onto its surface. Lava may be erupted at a volcano or through a Fissure vent, fractu ...

(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 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 Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...

, is affected by the continent's dry subtropical climate. Frost 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.

Authorised grape varieties

The authorised grape varieties are: * Red: Listán Negra / Almuñeco, Negramoll / Mulata, Malvasía Rosada, and Tintilla are preferred; also authorised are Bastardo Negro / Baboso Negro, Cabernet Sauvignon,

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 , the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color ...

, Moscatel Negro,

Pinot Noir Pinot noir (), also known as Pinot nero, is a red-wine grape variety of the species ''Vitis vinifera''. The name also refers to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes. The name is derived from the French language, French words fo ...

, Ruby Cabernet,

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 ...

, Tempranillo, Vijariego Negro * White: Malvasía Volcánica, Moscatel de Alejandría, Vijariego / Diego, Albillo, Gual, Verdello are preferred; also authorised are Listán Blanco, Burrablanca, Breval Blanca, Pedro Ximénez,

Torrontés Torrontés is a white grape variety, mostly produced and known in Argentine wine, Argentina, producing fresh, aromatic (wine), aromatic wines with moderate acidity (wine), acidity, smooth texture and mouthfeel as well as distinctive peach and apr ...

References

External links

D.O.P. Lanzarote official website
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