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La Geria and the Wines of Lanzarote
La Geria is Lanzarote's fascinating wine growing region. Thousands of semi-circular walls surrounding hollows scraped from the thick layer of lapilli, each containing a single vine, make this a truly unique agricultural landscape.
The unique method of cultivation that gives this region it's unique appearance is known as ‘enarenado naturál’. The Lanzarote farmers have dug thousands of small hollows into the 1˝ metre thick layer of ‘picon’ (porous volcanic granules that trap moisture) and planted vines in the volcanic ash that lies beneath. In order to protect the Vines from the Trade Winds, they have then built small semi-circular walls around each of these hollows.
Despite Lanzarote's arid climate, the picon layer is able to trap enough moisture from the Trade Winds to feed the vines.
Most of the wine (approximately 75%) that is produced in Lanzarote is Malvasia, which is one of the oldest known varieties of grape.
A drive through La Geria is recommended as is a visit to one (if not all) of the many Bodegas where you can taste the local wine.
Links:
Consejo Regulador Denominacion de Origen de Vinos de Lanzarote
The official website of the Lanzarote Wine regulatory Body.
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