Canary Island Wines Bounce Back

Drinking wine has often been considered a hobby out of reach of most regular people. It was assumed that one must have a certain level of education or air of sophistication to enjoy a great wine. Thanks to movies and other media representation, wine is enjoying an unprecedented comeback among the rest of us.

Choosing and tasting wines can seem intimidating at first, especially if you have never tasted a truly delicious wine. Many people are under the impression that fine wine comes only from France. It is true that some of the world's most fantastic wine is produced in France- notably of course. However, many other countries produce some truly outstanding wines.

A notable but often overlooked region is the Canary Islands. Grape vines have been carefully tended and wine gracefully produced in the area since the 15th century. Due to a variety of factors, the current generation of wine drinkers is not yet fully familiar with the offerings of the Canary Islands.

Canary Island wine was once regarded with great admiration by enthusiasts everywhere. The English were particularly fond of the strong, sweet wines produced in Tenerife. Even William Shakespeare was inspired to include a mention of 'Canary Sack' in The Merry Wives of Windsor.

The production of Canary Islands wine was greatly decreased in the 18th century due to a number of economic and political reasons. Relations between Spain and England deteriorated while sanctions were placed on wine exports. With the difficulties involved in producing and exporting wine, many growers simply moved on to different trades. By the late 19th century, the world had all but forgotten the once-beloved Canary Islands wine.

Today, a concerted effort is being made to revive the wine trade in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife and the other Canary Islands. This resurgence is evident in the carefully-tended grapevines that dominate much of the landscape on the islands. The locals have not lost their magical touch, and today some of the world's most worthy wines are coming from the Canary Islands.

The current wine producers in Tenerife are of special note. Their creativity and artistry are evident in every sip. Because of the unique climate and location of Tenerife, it is possible to grow many different types of grapes on the small island. These conditions have resulted in a variety of truly memorable wines.

On the island of Tenerife alone, 42 wineries can be found. They produce a similarly impressive number of wines, ranging from hauntingly fragrant reds to jaunty rose's to crisp whites. A welcome addition to the resurgence of the wine trade has been the tourists who have holidays in Tenerife just to experience the wineries firsthand.

What wine did for certain areas in California a decade ago, it is doing now for Tenerife and the other Canary Islands. Wine tourism is flourishing and a new generation of wine drinkers is becoming acquainted with the region that was once said to produce some of the finest wines in the world.

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