Description
Wine Details:
Alcohol Grade: 13.5%
Aging/ Vinification: Ferments in stainless steel. Aged on the lees for three months.
Best to have it: 5-9ºC
Size:Â 750 ml
The producer: Bodega Los Bermejos
Bodegas Los Bermejos, located in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, offers a unique winemaking experience thanks to its extraordinary geological and climatic conditions. Even though the Canary Islands are politically part of Spain, they are geologically closer to Africa. The vineyards here benefit from cooling trade winds from the sea and the north, giving the wines a fresh and salty character. The landscape, shaped by a six-year volcanic eruption in the 18th century, features black soils and vermilion mountains. Because volcanic ashes lack organic nutrients, grape growers dig deep holes in the ashes to reach the nutrient-rich topsoil. Vines are planted in these deep holes, which makes vineyard work a labor-intensive task. This extreme environment leads to some of the lowest yields in the world, resulting in the most unique wines.
Ignacio Valdera, the owner and winemaker, runs this challenging operation on Lanzarote, the easternmost island, just 125 km from the African coast. The vineyards are covered in volcanic ash and lava, so each vine needs to be planted in a hole to get through the infertile surface to the nourishing subsoil. The vines are almost hidden in these holes, protecting them from the intense trade winds of spring and summer that can scorch the leaves. Small rock walls built in semi-circular patterns around each hole offer additional protection. The depth and diameter of the holes, and hence the planting density, are determined by the thickness of the ash layer. In some areas, holes reach 4 meters deep and 6 meters in diameter, with a planting density of no more than 200 plants per hectare. Due to the nutrient-poor soil, the flora, including vines, remain low-growing but produce highly concentrated berries. Yields are tiny, and all the vineyard work is done meticulously by hand. Some wines are certified organic depending on the vintage. To keep production sustainable, Ignacio also sources fruit from other growers who share his vision of sustainable viticulture, ensuring a commitment to quality despite the tough conditions.
