The XXVII Official Gran Canaria Wine Competition will be decided between 42 wines from 13 wineries

 

The Counselor Primary Sector, Food Sovereignty and Water Security of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Miguel Hidalgo, accompanied by the President of the DO Vinos Gran Canaria Regulatory Council, Pedro Suarez and the president of the Gran Canaria Wine Route, Sandra Armas, opened yesterday In Infecar the 2023 wine tasting will be held, from which the winners will be awarded as the best wines from Gran Canaria for the 2021-2022 harvest.

 

During two consecutive afternoons the qualifying jury, made up of 15 qualified members at the Regional level, “blindly” tasted a total of 42 samples competing in three categories: Young reds; Young dry whites/barrel-fermented whites and semi-dry/semi-sweet/sweet and liqueur-with 25, 11 and 6 samples respectively in this twenty-seventh edition. Each category has three awards and in addition, among all participants, a special mention is awarded for the best image and presentation. The total amount of the ten prizes is 6.400 euros and the winners will be present at the events that the Cabildo celebrates.

 

Hidalgo commented that the progressive increase in the quality of the island's wines goes in parallel with the increase in hectares on the island that are allocated to vine cultivation and highlighted that the recovery of land abandoned for other crops and the creation of hydraulic and irrigation, all actions that are part of the Ministry's Viticulture Development Program, have contributed greatly to the rise of this agricultural activity. He also thanked sector associations (Denomination of Origin Wines of Gran Canaria Regulatory Council and Insular Federation of Associations of the Viticultural Sector of Gran Canaria-Vinigran) for their involvement and work because without them these achievements would not be possible. 

 

 

 

 

According to Pedro Suárez , president of the Regulatory Council of the Gran Canaria Wines Designation of Origin, “this event serves to promote the island's wines and showcase their evolution; and he hopes that people will support and appreciate everything that goes into a glass of wine, such as the landscape, the effort, the quality and the care of a sector that is fundamental to the island's gastronomy.”

 

With the annual Wine Competition, the Ministry of Primary Sector, Food Sovereignty and Water Security of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria meets several of the objectives of its strategic plan for the primary sector: valorization of the product and support for the activity and contribution to the advancement of its quality.  

 

Thanks to the Island Viticulture Development Program , Gran Canaria was the only island in the archipelago to increase its vineyard area in 2022, now boasting 43 wineries and 289 viticulture professionals. This represents a significant recovery of land previously used for other crops. The development of hydraulic and irrigation infrastructure, supported by the Island Council and planned and coordinated with various industry associations (the Gran Canaria Wines Designation of Origin Regulatory Board and the Gran Canaria Wine Sector Association Federation - Vinigran), has been crucial in fostering the growth of this agricultural subsector. This growth generates employment, helps retain the population in rural areas, and also acts as a firebreak during forest fires.