- Tacoronte-Acentejo
Tacoronte-Acentejo "Denominación de Origen (DO)" is located in the Anaga Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the island of
Tenerife , (Canary Islands ,Spain ). It was the first region in the Canary Islands to acquire DO status, in 1992. It covers the municipalities ofSanta Cruz de Tenerife ,San Cristóbal de La Laguna ,El Rosario ,Tegueste ,Tacoronte ,El Sauzal ,La Matanza de Acentejo ,La Victoria de Acentejo andSanta Úrsula .Covering 2,400 ha, it is the largest DO in Tenerife and represents 40% of the total cultivated land area and 20% of the vineyards of the island.
There are 2,250 grape-growers and 50 wineries registered with the DO.
Geography
The vineyards are located at altitudes of between 100 and 1,000 m above sealevel. They are planted on terraces on very steep hillsides facing north and looking over the sea.
oils
The vines are planted in very fertile soil which is reddish in colour. The soil is poor in carbonates but rich in organic matter and minerals, especially nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The subsoil is volcanic in origin.
Climate
The Atlantic Ocean provides a humid climate with mild temperatures and frequent mists. It is basically a Mediterranean climate influenced by the orientation of the island and the steel slopes, which gives rise to a great variety of microclimates. The prevailing trade winds are mild and humid.
Frost is unknown on the island, but hail, strong winds and occasional heatwaves represent risks for grape-growers.
Grapes
The preferred authorized varieties are as follows:
*Red varieties:Listán Negro andNegramoll
*White varieities:Gual ,Malvasía ,Listan Blanco andMarmajuelo .Also authorized:
*Red varieties:Tintilla ,Moscatel Negro ,Malvasía Rosada ,Castellana Negra ,Cabernet Sauvignon ,Merlot ,Pinot Noir ,Ruby Cabernet ,Syrah ,Tempranillo ,Bastardo negro orBaboso Negro ,Listán Prieto andVijariego Negro
*White varieities:Pedro Ximenez ,Verdello ,Moscatel ,Vijariego ,Forastera Blanca ,Torrontés ,Albillo ,Sabro ,Bastardo blanco orBaboso Blanco ,Breval andBurrablanca Traditionally the vines were planted as low bushes ("en vaso") though newly planted vineyards tend to be on trellises ("en espaldera"). The maximum authorized planting density is 3,000 vines/ha. In practice the yield is significantly lower than the authorized maximum.
References
*http://www.winesfromspain.com (English and Spanish)
*http://www.tacovin.com (Spanish only)
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