Introduction to the Canary Islands | Folk Notes – Folkways

Folk Notes: Introduction to the Canary Islands

Black, ashen, wide, in the middle of the sea, at elevation, with vineyards dotted in individual circles and a surface that looks like the moon – there is perhaps no stranger or more particular viticultural area on earth than the Canary Islands. Volcanic and ancient, this archipelago is home to Spain’s most well-known and loved island wines, roaring with minerality and substance, given the nearly-unbelievable soils and strange, untrellised, bush-like vineyards that help the plants withstand the oceanic winds and intense sun exposure that define this place.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 21 Crew, 2009, NASA

In just three hours from the Barcelona airport, you can reach this nearly-lunar place; the wines and the cuisines of this place bear the marks of the many empires and cultures that have crossed here: North Africa, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and so on. White wines are often the stars of these islands, with noble and salt-washed varieties like Listán Blanco, but the reds are equally intriguing, made from the sibling varieties Listán Prieto and Listán Negro – think dried flowers, gentle notes of smoke, and always a salty finish.

Atlantic Canary Island, 1930

Take a look at our little curation of Canary wines to explore this magical place just off the African coast – and we threw in one Mallorcan wine, too, so you can compare Spain’s other wine island next to these!