Discover the Wine Route of Gran Canaria by bicycle
If you’re a fan of cycling, wine tasting, and gastronomy, Spain offers several wine cycling routes through some of the country’s most notable wine regions, a formula that will allow you to pedal through the tranquil landscapes of vineyards before stopping at the best wineries to taste the wines of the area.
Spain has many regions famous for their wines – La Rioja, Catalonia, Andalusia, and La Mancha – and all are perfect for combining splendid bike routes with an engaging wine experience. On the same Iberian Peninsula, bordering Portugal, are the wines of Ribera del Duero, the perfect connection to reach Oporto, the birthplace of a wine that has a name of its own.
“We make wine and bottle landscapes” – The Wine Route of Gran Canaria
Few, however, are familiar with the wines of the Canary Islands, particularly those of Gran Canaria, which, with more than forty different grape varieties, the peculiarities of the terrain and climate, offer an extraordinary viticultural richness. Names like Listán negro, Marmajuelo, Breval, Moscatel de Alejandría or Malvasía volcánica are already part of a unique wine heritage in the world.
The Wine Route of Gran Canaria, with its slogan “We make wine and bottle landscapes,” invites you to discover the territories through the production of this sweet nectar. Here, the wines are truly unique thanks to the environmental factors that influence the vineyards: climate, soil, and altitude. Each wine captures the volcanic essence of the island, whether produced with grapes from vineyards on steep slopes of lava stone blessed by the trade winds, or from vineyards on the southwestern slope, on hard and basaltic soils typical of the island’s geologically oldest part.
The diversity of places and the different agricultural practices, combining tradition and innovation, translate into a variety of vineyard landscapes to discover, if desired, also by bicycle. Agricultural practices are predominantly manual, and harvests can extend up to four months due to the island’s microclimates and the disparity in ripening of different grape varieties.
Vineyards and winemakers
The vineyards, cultivated uniquely with ungrafted vines, without rootstocks, allow the varieties to make the most of the soil minerals, giving them unique properties. This practice makes the archipelago’s viticulture unique, as the Canary Islands are one of the four regions in the world that have not suffered from phylloxera devastation, allowing the survival and preservation of varieties that have become extinct elsewhere.
Local winemakers have perfected the art of harnessing these natural elements, creating wines that reflect the unique essence of our territory. Each sip takes you on a sensory journey through different terroirs and microclimates, giving rise to varied wines like the island itself.
Additionally, in recent years, an exciting endeavor to recover native varieties that had fallen into disuse has been undertaken. Thanks to this effort, these oenological gems have emerged strongly and have asserted themselves in the wine scene, shining with their own light and making us proud of their distinction and authentic character.
Gran Canaria wines have an Atlantic soul, which translates into a pronounced salty sensation on the palate. White wines stand out for their aromas of white flowers and fruits, citrus and tropical fruits, with notes of anise, resulting in fresh, light, and aromatic wines. As for reds, young wines with great personality predominate, with aromas of red and black fruits, blue flowers like lavender and violet, and spices.
By bicycle
The Wine Route of Gran Canaria invites the cyclist on a journey through the landscapes and ways of life in the heart of the island, in a unique wine tourism experience that will allow you to taste the wines of Gran Canaria and learn about part of its history in a spectacular natural setting,where wineries, vineyards, and crops are found.
Whether it’s an independent journey or one of the guided walking and cycling tours, the Wine Route association also offers accommodation in hotels at various points on the island. Furthermore, since the distances are not insurmountable, you can divide the route through the wine-producing municipalities of the Wine Route of Gran Canaria, which are currently five: Agüimes, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Tejeda, Santa Brígida, and Santa María de Guía.
For those who prefer to rely on specialized guides, the association offers both guides and specific and thematic tours and tastings in the caves. In any case, the important thing is, if you pedal, to do so moderately so that at the end of the route, what remains is an excellent taste in the mouth and a cycling vacation made of unforgettable days.
The Gran Canaria Wine Route Association (RVGC)
The Gran Canaria Wine Route Association (RVGC) is a territorial and multisectoral initiative dedicated to the promotion and development of wine tourism and wine culture in Gran Canaria, as well as the promotion of its viticultural landscape within the area of the Denomination of Origin of Gran Canaria Wines.
Its mission is to create a unique and enriching experience for all who visit, thanks also to the collaboration with various tourism stakeholders, such as local businesses, business associations, and the private sector, including wineries, restaurants, accommodations, shops, wine shops, specialized guides, and tourist intermediaries. Together, joint actions are coordinated to promote tourism through wine culture and its landscape, contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.
As members of the Club de Rutas del Vino de España (ACEVIN), since 2021, it is a certified Route, the only one outside the peninsular territory to obtain this distinction.
by Silvia Donatiello
www.grancanaria.com
