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Friday, July 15, 2011

The Rain in Spain


On my 'other Andrea' post this week, I received a few comments regarding the vineyard I pictured. 
Since that post, I was treated to a delicious Mexican dinner and have been speaking in Spanish non-stop. 

I have Spain on the brain.

So where is the vineyard, exactly?
 
Think outside the box. 

Instead of the traditional vineyard that we often conjure in our minds, 
the vineyards on the island of Lanzarote are rather non-typical. 

The Canaries are known as the Hawaii of Europe, with perpetual spring like weather, 
along for the ride, however, is very limited rainfall. Pair sparse precipitation
with an island almost covered in lava from a series of eruptions in the 1730's. 
Could you grow anything? Would you even try?
 
The rain in Spain falls mostly on the plains.

The volcanic rock is porous and granules are used as a mulch, which absorbs moisture 
and deposits it around the vine, while helping to keep it from evaporating. Low stone walls 
are formed around each crater, dug to a depth of one meter, to protect the vines from 
the wind and any rain that may fall is funneled towards the plant. 
 

From planting to harvesting, all of this work must be done by hand; 
this is a labour intensive venture, yet the island, on average, produces 2 million litres of wine annually.
 

If the Canary Islands aren't on your bucket list, I highly suggest you add them. 
Heed caution however, camels have attitude. Don't tell them I sent you.

 
 
 
~Happy Friday Friends!~


11 comments:

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

That is really interesting and very unconventional...but hey, if it works :) :) I really thought the stone w alls around each plant were r ath er i ntriguing :) :) I'll make sure and watch out for the camels with the 'tudes :) :) Have a great weekend. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

p.s. I went over to the Kim Klassen site on Facebook. It's great. She recommends Photoshop Elements 9 for me...so I'm going to start saving my money for that. Oh, cute vintage photos here I come :) :) :)

{ T G L } said...

I love the Canary Islands. I grew up in mainland Spain but have visited a couple of times. They are just on the brink of having that tropical feel that makes them such a unique part of Europe. And the 'Teide', the volcanic mountain, is totally worth the clime!

This Good Life

MJ said...

Absolutely fascinating! But now I really want to know how it tastes :).

Have a great weekend Andrea!

TexWisGirl said...

how very interesting. would not have thought that an arid clime and lava soil would produce so much wine!

Michelle said...

Reallly interesting and I didn't know that they grew their grapes in this way.

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Isn't that incredible! I had seen pics of this before but never fully understood the "why" of it!
You explained it purr-fectly!
(you have Spain on the brain-I have kittens!)
LYLAS!
xo, misha

camp and cottage living said...

What would one have to pay for a bottle of wine from a vineyard that takes that much effort and
ingenuity?
It just goes to show where theres a will, theres a way!

Unknown said...

That is just the most amazing thing! great post!

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

Very cool! Thanks for the info on this grape growing and wine making beauty.... however, I think this makes the ice wine picking/making in the dead of an Ontario winter night look like a picnic!

~Chris

Elle Bee said...

Thanks for the explanation! I never knew. Very interesting.

The Fairy's Apprentice said...

Great piece of information! I didn't go there yet, but is definitely on my list now!
Hope you had a great weekend!
Hugs,
Camelia