Lanzarote (DO) facts for kids
| Wine region | |
Lanzarote DOP in the province of Las Palmas in the region of the Canary Islands
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| Official name | D.O.P. Lanzarote |
|---|---|
| Type | Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) |
| Year established | 1994 |
| Country | Spain |
| Sub-regions | La Geria, San Bartolomé/Tías, Tinajo and Haría-Ye |
| No. of vineyards | 1,849 hectares (4,569 acres) |
| No. of wineries | 19 |
| Wine produced | 4,330 hectolitres |
| Comments | Data for 2016 / 2017 |
Lanzarote is an island in the Canary Islands, Spain. It is famous for its special wines. These wines have a special label called a Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP). This means they are protected and must come from this specific island.
Lanzarote got its DOP label in 1994. Today, about 1,800 hectares (or 4,400 acres) of land are used to grow grapes. That's a lot of vineyards!
Contents
Where the Grapes Grow
The island of Lanzarote has four main areas where grapes are grown:
- La Geria: This is the biggest area and is in the south of the island.
- San Bartolomé/Tías (Masdache): You can find this area in the middle of the island.
- Tinajo: This region is in the west-central part.
- Haría-Ye: This area is located in the north.
Lanzarote's Unique Soil
Lanzarote is the island closest to Africa in the Canary Islands. It has a very special and amazing landscape. A big part of the island's center is covered in black, hardened lava. This lava came from a huge volcano eruption that happened between 1730 and 1736.
Because of the lava, nothing can grow in the middle of the island. But around the edges of this lava, the land is perfect for grapevines. This is because of a layer of volcanic ash. This ash is called lapilli or picón.
The picón ash is very helpful for the plants:
- It quickly soaks up any rain that falls.
- It stops the water from evaporating, so the soil stays moist.
- It helps keep the soil's temperature steady.
To grow grapes, farmers dig holes or ditches in the ground. This lets the vine roots reach the soil that is underneath the ash. Each hole or ditch is also surrounded by a stone wall. These walls protect the grapevines from strong winds.
The Island's Climate
Lanzarote has a dry, subtropical climate. This means it's usually warm and sunny. The island is very close to Africa, which affects its weather.
It never gets frosty on Lanzarote. The cool sea breezes help to keep the temperature mild. The average temperatures are usually between 16°C (61°F) and 34°C (93°F).
Rainfall on the island is very low, only about 200 millimeters (8 inches) per year. The rain also falls at different times, so it's not very regular.
Grape Varieties Grown
Many different types of grapes are grown on Lanzarote. Some are red grapes, and others are white grapes. These special grapes help make the unique wines of the island.
Some popular red grapes include Listán Negra and Tintilla. For white wines, Malvasía Volcánica and Moscatel de Alejandría are often used.
See also
In Spanish: Lanzarote (vino) para niños
