The Rain in Spain

On my 'other Andrea' post this week, I received a few comments regarding the vineyard I pictured. 

Since that post, I was treated to a delicious Mexican dinner and have been speaking in Spanish non-stop. 

I have Spain on the brain.

So where is the vineyard, exactly?

Source: seriousseats.com via Emily Duong on Pinterest

 

Think outside the box. 

Instead of the traditional vineyard that we often conjure in our minds, 

the vineyards on the island of Lanzarote are rather non-typical. 

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The Canaries are known as the Hawaii of Europe, with perpetual spring like weather, 

along for the ride, however, is very limited rainfall. Pair sparse precipitation

with an island almost covered in lava from a series of eruptions in the 1730's. 

Could you grow anything? Would you even try?

 

The rain in Spain falls mostly on the plains.

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The volcanic rock is porous and granules are used as a mulch, which absorbs moisture 

and deposits it around the vine, while helping to keep it from evaporating. Low stone walls 

are formed around each crater, dug to a depth of one meter, to protect the vines from 

the wind and any rain that may fall is funneled towards the plant. 

 

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From planting to harvesting, all of this work must be done by hand; 

this is a labour intensive venture, yet the island, on average, produces 2 million litres of wine annually.

 

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If the Canary Islands aren't on your bucket list, I highly suggest you add them. 

Heed caution however, camels have attitude. Don't tell them I sent you.

 

 

 

~Happy Friday Friends!~