The Canary Islands’ wine industry has made a brilliant debut at the Città del Vino International Wine Competition, one of the leading events on the European wine scene. The eleven wines from the Canary Islands entered in the 24th edition of the competition won a total of ten medals – nine gold and one silver – confirming the excellent form the islands’ wine sector is currently in.
The final stage of the competition, organised by the European Network of Wine Cities (RECEVIN) through the Italian association Città del Vino, took place in Venice from 29 to 31 May and brought together more than 1,400 wines from twelve countries. In total, the jury awarded 455 prizes across the various categories of the competition and the 7th Grappa Awards, dedicated to spirits and beverages derived from grapes.
Nine Gold Medals for Canarian wines
Productions from the Archipelago stood out particularly in several categories, achieving one of the highest success rates in the competition.
In the still dry red wine category, the Gold Medal was awarded to Pago de Los Cercados Tinto, from Bodega Emilio Tomás Palmero (Tacoronte-Acentejo PDO), and Hiboro, from Bodega Terruño de la Hijuela (Tacoronte-Acentejo PDO).
Among the still dry rosés, Conatvs Pink, produced by Bodegas Conatvs (Canary Islands PDO), was awarded a gold medal.
Sparkling wines also featured prominently in the medal table thanks to Pumuki Ancestral, from Bodegas Ventura (Gran Canaria PDO), and Princesa Fayna Espumoso, from Bodegas Vega de Yuco (Lanzarote PDO), both of which won awards in the category for white sparkling wines produced using the traditional method.
Meanwhile, in the still dry white wines category, the Gold Medal was awarded to Airan, from Bodegas Conatvs (Canary Islands PDO); Eidan Blanco, from Bodegas Ventura (Gran Canaria PDO); and the wines Pago de Los Cercados Selección and Albillo Criollo Selección, both from Bodega Emilio Tomás Palmero (Tacoronte-Acentejo PDO).
A silver medal that rounds off an outstanding performance
The Canary Islands’ medal haul was rounded off with a Silver Medal won by Conatvs Baboso Negro, from Bodegas Conatvs (Canary Islands PDO), in the still dry red wines category.
As a result, ten of the eleven wines entered in the competition received some form of recognition, a figure that reflects the high quality of Canarian wines and their growing international profile.
International recognition for the islands’ wine-growing industry
Narvay Quintero, the Canary Islands Government’s Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty, highlighted the impressive results achieved by the participating wineries.
As he pointed out, the fact that ten of the eleven wines entered have won medals is a testament to the excellent work carried out by the archipelago’s winegrowers, winemakers and wineries.
Quintero also emphasised that these accolades help to bolster the international reputation of Canarian wines and highlight the sector’s ongoing commitment to quality, innovation and the preservation of a wine-growing heritage that is unique in the world.
He also highlighted the growing interest in the native grape varieties of the Canary Islands and the unique growing conditions that characterise viticulture on the islands.
The Canary Islands showcase the uniqueness of their wines to the world
The Canary Islands’ participation in Città del Vino was not limited to the competition. The event’s programme also included educational activities aimed at professionals and specialists in the international wine sector.
Against this backdrop, the Canary Islands hosted a masterclass focusing on the richness and uniqueness of their wines, led by José Luis González González, head of the Oenological Station at the Canary Islands Institute for Agri-Food Quality (ICCA), and Manuel Capote, vice-president of CERVIM.
During the session, key aspects of the archipelago’s wine-growing identity were discussed, such as the extraordinary diversity of indigenous grape varieties, the influence of volcanic soils, the history of wine-growing on the islands, and the extreme conditions under which much of the vine cultivation takes place.
The presentation aroused considerable interest amongst the professionals in attendance, who were able to explore in greater depth the characteristics that make Canarian wines a distinctive feature of the international wine scene.
Città del Vino, a network serving wine-producing regions
The Città del Vino International Competition was established with the aim of promoting wine as an element closely linked to the economic, social and cultural development of rural areas.
Organised since 2001 by the Italian association Città del Vino, which is part of the European Network of Wine Cities (RECEVIN), the event brings together producers, institutions and representatives from wine-producing regions across various countries every year.
The organisation currently has around 500 members, including local authorities, provinces, wine routes and organisations linked to viticulture, and has established itself as one of Europe’s leading platforms for the promotion and enhancement of wine-related regions.
The excellent results achieved by the Canarian wineries in this year’s competition not only recognise the quality of their wines, but also help to strengthen the international presence of the archipelago’s wines and to promote the distinctive characteristics of a unique viticultural tradition shaped by volcanic influences, varietal diversity and the close relationship between landscape, culture and tradition.
