The colour is pale ruby. On the nose dried figs and blackberries. In the mouth light, with a bitter finish. The aftertaste is short.
This red wine is made with Vijariego grapes under the Gran Canaria DO. Vijariego Negro is a little-known red grape variety indigenous to the Canary Islands. It is the red variant of the slightly more widespread Vijariego Blanco. The variety’s most common usage is as blending partner to Listán Negro.
Vines are thought to have been introduced to Gran Canaria by the Spanish in the 15th Century. Vineyards flourished, and within 50 years had become an important industry on the island, supplying local markets, before expanding into exports to England, northern Europe, and Spain’s colonies in Africa and Latin America.
When Anglo-Spanish relations soured in the 18th Century, the industry went into decline. Its fortunes worsened when successive outbreaks of mildew, both oidium and peronospora, struck the vineyards in the 19th Century (a concern even to this day, given the region’s humidity).
I bought this bottle for 14.40 EUR at a supermarket in Gran Canaria, while on vacation.
Country: Spain
Region: Canary Islands
Grapes: Vijariego Negro
Type: Red
Vintage: 2020
Producer: Frontón de Oro
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 2/5