Valle de la Orotava facts for kids
| Wine region | |
Valle de la Orotava 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 la Orotava |
|---|---|
| Type | Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) |
| Year established | 1995 |
| Country | Spain |
| No. of vineyards | 329 hectares (813 acres) |
| No. of wineries | 14 |
| Wine produced | 2,140 hectolitres |
| Comments | Data for 2016 / 2017 |
Valle de la Orotava is a special wine region in Spain. It is located on the north-western coast of Tenerife. Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands.
This area has a special status called "Denominación de Origen Protegida" (DOP). This means its wines are protected and must meet certain quality rules. The region received its DOP status in 1995.
Contents
History of Valle de la Orotava Wines
This area was one of the first places where grapevines were planted. This happened when Spain took over the Canary Islands in the 1400s.
Over the 1900s, the amount of land used for grapevines got smaller. This was because more farmers started growing bananas instead. Banana farms became very popular and competitive.
Geography of the Vineyards
The vineyards in Valle de la Orotava are on the slopes of Teide. Teide is a large volcano. The vineyards stretch all the way down to the port of Puerto de la Cruz.
About 671 hectares of land are officially registered for growing grapes here. A hectare is about the size of a football field.
The "Valle de la Orotava" is not actually a valley. It's the local name for the lower parts of the Teide volcano. The vineyards are quite high up. They are usually around 800 meters (about half a mile) above sea-level.
Soils for Growing Grapes
The soil in this region is very special. About 70% of it comes from volcanoes. Another 20% is clay. The last 10% is volcanic rock.
These soils are light and let water pass through easily. They are also full of important minerals. The soil is slightly acidic, which is good for grapevines.
Climate for Grape Growing
The climate here is warm and humid. This is because of the Atlantic Ocean nearby. The area gets a lot of sunshine every year.
Temperatures are high during the summer months. The vineyards are often covered in mist. This mist comes from the trade winds. These winds blow all year round and carry a lot of moisture.
The humid climate helps the grapevines grow well. However, sometimes strong storms and winds can affect the plants.
Types of Grapes Grown Here
Many different types of grapes are allowed to be grown in Valle de la Orotava. These include both red and white grape varieties.
- Red Grapes:
- White Grapes:
- Preferred: Albillo, Bermejuela / Marmajuelo, Forastera Blanca, Doradilla, Gual, Malvasía Volcánica, Malvasía Aromática, Moscatel de Alejandría, Sabro, Verdello, Vijariego / Diego.
- Also allowed: Bastardo Blanco / Baboso Blanco, Breval, Burrablanca, Listán Blanco, Pedro Ximénez, Torrontés.
See also
In Spanish: Valle de la Orotava (vino) para niños
