Una veintena de vinos grancanarios obtienen más de 90 puntos en la lista de Robert Parker

Around twenty wines from Gran Canaria have passed the 90-point mark in the ratings of The Wine Advocate, the publication founded by Robert Parker. A boost for an island that champions its volcanic, high-altitude viticulture.

What passing 90 points means

On the scale of The Wine Advocate, one of the international benchmarks of wine criticism, the 90-point barrier marks the threshold of excellence. That around twenty wines from Gran Canaria should cross it is no small matter: it speaks of consistency, of work in the vineyard and of a distinct identity that is starting to gain recognition beyond the islands.

High-altitude wines and volcanic soil

Much of the credit lies in the terrain. Gran Canaria grows its vines at high elevations, on volcanic soils that bring minerality and freshness, with sharp temperature swings between day and night. That demanding environment, often in small plots that are hard to mechanise, translates into wines with character, taut and with a personality rarely found in areas where the vine has an easier time.

Varieties that make the difference

The recognition has reached both reds and whites, and here the Canary Island varieties play a key role. Among the grapes that give these wines their stamp, several closely tied to the archipelago stand out:

• Baboso negro, for reds of intense colour and good structure.
• Malvasía volcánica, the historic benchmark of Canary Island whites.
• Vijariego, capable of producing fresh, lively whites.
• Vidueño, a term that gathers the tradition of native varieties.

These grapes are barely grown outside the Canary Islands, which turns every bottle into a small window onto a singular winegrowing heritage.

What it brings to Canary Island wine tourism

This kind of rating has a direct effect on visits. When an area starts to make a name for itself through the quality of its wines, interest grows in getting to know its wineries, walking its vineyards and tasting at source. Gran Canaria offers a different wine-tourism plan: landscapes of contrast, vineyards clinging to the mountain and a wine culture that coexists with that of the volcano.

If you are tempted by the idea of tasting these wines where they are born, it's worth planning your visit ahead, because many island wineries are small and work by appointment. You can explore options in all the wineries and combine the tasting with a day of hiking or on the beach.

An island gaining confidence

Beyond the specific scores, the underlying reading is that Gran Canaria's viticulture has taken a leap in recognition. The major critics don't always look towards the islands, and the fact that they do is an incentive for producers to keep betting on their native varieties and on a difficult but very personal vineyard model. For the enthusiast, it is a clear invitation: there are Canary Island wines that deserve a place in the glass and, if possible, a visit to the winery that makes them.