Envinate, Taganan Blanco 2023

With only about 1% of the world surface being volcanic soil, experiencing volcanic wines can become a bit of a treasure hunt. But hey, you found it and came to the right place.

This wine from Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, is pure bottled lava- pull the cork and smell the volcano. Taganan is the old local name for this rugged vineyard area, located on the north-eastern side of Tenerife. Here vines are planted on primary volcanic rock on cliffs just above the Atlantic. This wine is a blend of the many different native white varieties, which are vinified separately, with some parcels undergoing skin contact (see orange wine). On the end the wine spends a further 8 months ageing in stainless steel and neutral oak barrels.

The final results is a truly unique and characterful wine, deliciously salty and smoky with a distinctive crushed rock note all brought together with a seriously refreshing acidity.