Canary Islands & Balearic Islands

1. Overview

Spain has two major island groups that make wine: the Canary Islands in the Atlantic and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean.
They taste very different because the islands have different climates and soils.

2. Canary Islands

• Volcanic soils from old lava flows
• Cool winds from the ocean
• Many old vines still ungrafted (though phylloxera has recently been found in Tenerife)

What the wines taste like

• Whites: fresh, salty, sometimes smoky
• Reds: pale, peppery, and fruity

Grapes

• Listán Blanco
• Malvasía Volcánica
• Listán Negro
• Negramoll

Special vineyard methods

• Hoyos: deep pits that protect vines from strong winds (Lanzarote)
• Cordón trenzado: braided vine branches (Tenerife)

3. Balearic Islands

• Warm Mediterranean climate
• Limestone soils
• Make fuller reds and soft whites

Grapes

• Manto Negro
• Callet
• Prensal Blanc
• Fogoneu

What the wines taste like

• Reds: warm, fruity, and smooth
• Whites: soft and fresh

4. Summary

The Canary Islands make fresh, volcanic wines from dramatic landscapes and old vines, while the Balearics make warmer Mediterranean wines.
Both are exciting places to explore new Spanish wine styles.