Valle de Güímar facts for kids
| Wine region | |
Valle de Güímar 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. Valle de Güímar |
|---|---|
| Type | Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) |
| Year established | 1996 |
| Country | Spain |
| No. of vineyards | 160 hectares (395 acres) |
| No. of wineries | 12 |
| Wine produced | 1,449 hectolitres |
| Comments | Data for 2016 / 2017 |
The Valle de Güímar is a special area in Spain known for its unique wines. It has a label called a "Denominación de Origen Protegida" (DOP). This means that wines from this area have to follow strict rules to make sure they are high quality and truly come from this specific place. The Valle de Güímar is located on the south-eastern coast of Tenerife, which is one of the Canary Islands in Spain. This area received its special DOP label in 1996.
Contents
Where Valle de Güímar Wines Grow
The vineyards in Valle de Güímar are found on the southern slopes of Teide. Teide is a very large volcano. This makes it one of the highest places in Europe where grapes are grown for wine. The vineyards are located at different heights, from about 175 meters (574 feet) all the way up to 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) above sea level.
Types of Soil in the Vineyards
The soil where the grapevines grow in Valle de Güímar is quite varied. There are three main types of soil, depending on how high up the slopes you go. At lower heights, the soil is mostly sandy. In the middle parts of the slopes, the soil is made of pumice, which is a light, porous rock from volcanoes. Higher up the slopes, the soil becomes more like clay. These different soils help give the wines their special flavors.
Climate and Weather
The weather in southern Tenerife, where Valle de Güímar is located, is usually mild and pleasant. It's not too hot and not too cold. The area is also affected by something called "trade winds." These are steady winds that blow from the east, helping to keep the air fresh and influencing the climate for the grapevines.
Grape Varieties Grown Here
Many different types of grapes are allowed to be grown in the Valle de Güímar DOP. These grapes are used to make the region's unique wines.
Red Grape Varieties
Some of the red grapes include Listán Negro, Negramoll, Tintilla, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Tempranillo. These grapes are used to make red wines.
White Grape Varieties
For white wines, some of the grapes grown are Albillo, Bermejuela / Marmajuelo, Forastera Blanca, Malvasía Volcánica, Moscatel de Alejandría, Verdello, and Listán Blanco.
How Grapevines are Planted
Traditionally, grapevines in this area were planted as low bushes. This method is called en vaso. However, in newer vineyards, farmers often plant the vines on trellises. This method is called en espaldera. Trellises help the vines grow upwards and keep them organized.
See also
In Spanish: Valle de Güímar (vino) para niños
