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level: The Islands

Questions and Answers List

The need-to-know DOs of the Islas Baleares and Islas Canarias

level questions: The Islands

QuestionAnswer
DO Binissalem: Location, climate, soilsIsland of Mallorca, Mediterranean protected from Tramontana by Serra de Tramuntana Mountains; limestone, large limestone gravel
DO Binissalem: Styles (primary grapes)64% tinto (Manto Negro), 16% rosado, 14% blanco (Prensal Blanc/Moll); typically blends, tintos use age designations
What are the characteristics of the Manto Negro grape?Wines pale in color, notes of berry fruit and flowers, generally light, low in tannins and high in alcohol, commonly blended with international varieties
What is the Tramontana?Brutal winds that batter Mallorca
DO Pla i Llevant: Location, climate, soilsIsland of Mallorca, Mediterranean, tempered by Embat; limestone, red clay topsoil: call vermell
DO Pla i Llevant - wines43% tinto (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Callet), 39% blanco (Prensal Blanc/Moll); mostly blends and international varietals
What is Call Vermell?Red clay topsoil on Island of Mallorca (DO Pla i Llevant)
What is the Embat?Mallorca sea breeze that brings moisture during the warmer months and gives wines a hint of saline
DO Islas Canarias: Styles, location, generally66% blanco, 29% tinto, 5% rosado; covers all islands in the Canarias; tintos may carry age designations
DO Lanzarote: Location, climate, soilsIsland of Lanzarote, subtropical; lapilli/picon atop sand/clay; many reds undergo carbonic maceration
DO Lanzarote: Styles, primary grapes80% blanco (Malvasia Volcanica/Malvasia de Lanzarote), 12% tinto (Listan Negro/Almuneco)
What is Lapilli/picon?Soil comprised of lava and volcanic ash
What are Hoyos?Holes dug into lava in which vines are planted and then surrounded by abrigo as a wind break
What is an Abrigo?Wall surrounding a vine in an hoyo
DO Tacoronte-Acentejo: Location, climate, soilIsland of Tenerife, subtropical; volcanic soil
DO Tacoronte-Acentejo: Styles, primary grapes83% tinto (Listan Negro/Almuneca), 13% blanco; most tintos varietal Listan Negro, some with carbonic maceration
DO Valle de la Orotava: Location, climate, soilsIsland of Tenerife, subtropical; volcanic, sandy clay; vineyards on terraced northern slopes of Mt. Teide
DO Valle de la Orotava: Styles, dominant grapes60% tinto (Listan Negro), 34% blanco (Listan Blanco); both produce light, fresh, easy drinking, mineral driven wines
What does Cordon trenzado mean?DO Valle de la Orotava: braided training system, allowing cordons to be moved aside for other crops
DO Ycoden-Duate-Isora: Location, climate, soilsIsland of Tenerife, subtropical; volcanic, sandy clay; vineyards on steep and treacherous slopes of Mt Teide at high elevation
DO Ycoden-Duate-Isora: Styles, primary grapes78% blanco (Listan Blanco de Canarias), 21% tinto (Listan Negro/Almuneca); reputation for vinos blancos