Tacoronte-Acentejo facts for kids
| Wine region | |
Tacoronte-Acentejo DOP in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the region of the Canary Islands
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| Official name | D.O.P. Tacoronte-Acentejo |
|---|---|
| Type | Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) |
| Year established | 1992 |
| Country | Spain |
| No. of vineyards | 1,017 hectares (2,513 acres) |
| No. of wineries | 31 |
| Wine produced | 6,501 hectolitres |
| Comments | Data for 2016 / 2017 |
Tacoronte-Acentejo is a special area in the Canary Islands of Spain. It's known for making delicious wines! This region is on the island of Tenerife, which is a beautiful place with volcanoes and beaches. Tacoronte-Acentejo was the very first wine region in the Canary Islands to get a special "Protected Designation of Origin" (DOP) status in 1992. This means their wines meet high quality standards and come from this specific area.
The Tacoronte-Acentejo region covers several towns on Tenerife's northeastern coast. These include Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, El Rosario, Tegueste, Tacoronte, El Sauzal, La Matanza de Acentejo, La Victoria de Acentejo and Santa Úrsula. It's the biggest wine region on Tenerife, covering about 1,000 hectares (that's like 2,500 football fields!). This area makes up 40% of all the farmland and 20% of all the vineyards on the island.
Contents
Where are the Vineyards Located?
The vineyards in Tacoronte-Acentejo are planted on hillsides that are very steep. They face north, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. These vineyards are found at different heights, from about 100 meters (330 feet) to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level. To plant grapes on such steep land, farmers build terraces, which are like giant steps on the hills.
What are the Soils Like?
The soil where the grapevines grow is very rich and has a reddish color. It's great for growing grapes because it has lots of good things like organic matter and important minerals. These minerals include nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which help the plants grow strong and healthy. The soil also comes from volcanic rock deep underground, which is common on an island like Tenerife.
How is the Weather?
The weather in Tacoronte-Acentejo is greatly affected by the Atlantic Ocean. This means it's often humid, with mild temperatures all year round. You'll also find frequent mists, especially in the mornings. The climate is mostly like a Mediterranean climate, but the island's shape and the steep hills create many different small weather zones, called microclimates. Gentle, moist trade winds blow across the island, which is good for the grapes.
It never gets cold enough for frost on Tenerife, so the grapes are safe from freezing. However, grape growers sometimes face challenges like hail, strong winds, or very hot days, which can be risky for the plants.
What Grapes Grow Here?
Many different types of grapes are allowed to be grown in the Tacoronte-Acentejo region. These grapes are carefully chosen to make the unique wines of the area.
- Red Grapes:
- White Grapes:
- Gual
- Malvasía Volcánica
- Malvasía Aromática
- Doradilla
- Bermejuela
- Verdello
- Moscatel de Alejandría
- Vijariego
- Forastera Blanca
- Albillo
- Sabro
- Listán Blanco
- Pedro Ximénez
- Torrontés
- Bastardo Blanco
- Breval
- Burrablanca
Traditionally, grapevines were often planted as low bushes. However, in newer vineyards, you'll often see them growing on trellises. Trellises are like fences that support the vines as they grow, helping them get more sunlight and air.
See also
In Spanish: Tacoronte-Acentejo para niños
