Bodegas Viñátigo Gual Tenerife 2022
A wonderfully aromatic wine with layers of smoky notes, jasmine, melon and tropical pineapple on the nose. Concentrated flavours are complemented by a rich, buttery palate and an everlasting finish.
Gual grows near the ocean, in plots near the villages of San Juan de la Rambla and Garachico, in the North-West of Tenerife. The vines thrive at below 200 metres’ elevation. The absence of phylloxera in the Canary Islands has preserved many unique varieties creating an unparalleled viticultural heritage. As a result, all of the vines are ungrafted, allowing for a complete interaction between the plant and soil. The combination of volcanic soils, the cooling Alisios trade winds and the distinctive microclimates found on the island, contributes to the extraordinary personalities of the wines. The vineyard is managed sustainably without the use of herbicides or synthetic products. Due to the orography of the land, the vineyards are manually cultivated.
The Gual grapes (a local synonym for Madeira's Bual) were hand-picked cooled to almost 5°C prior to vinification. Sulphur was not added, because at these temperatures oxidation takes place more slowly, which permits the winemakers to work without the use of additives, while preserving the high quality. Fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts, 50% of the grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks at 16°C and 50% took place in concrete eggs, which increased the round texture and creaminess in the wine. The wine was aged on its lees in concrete egg-shaped tanks.
| RRP | £29.95 |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Alcoholic strength | 13% |
| Serve with | white fish in a delicate cream sauce or white meat |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Tenerife |
| Grapes | Gual 100% |
| Dry/Sweet value | 1 |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
The philosophy behind Bodegas Viñátigo is to revive and promote the extensive varietal heritage of the Canary Islands. The journey started in the 1990s, at a century-old plot in the village of La Guancha, in the north of Tenerife, where the traditional varieties of Listán Blanco and Listán Negro were vinified in the old family winery. With an uncompromising eye on quality, this dynamic winemaking project has subsequently expanded to produce thrilling, modern wines from varieties such as Gual, Marmajuelo and Vijariego. Bodegas Viñátigo’s ethos is respectful of the environment, both in the vineyard where sustainable winegrowing practices are applied; and in the construction of its state-of-the-art winery which was built in 1997 from local materials and designed to minimise energy consumption.
