Tenerife has again clinched the title for producing the best wine in the Canary Islands, as recognized for the second consecutive year in the Official Agrocanarias Competition organized by the Canary Islands Government. The announcement was made by the Regional Minister, Narvay Quintero, and the director of the ICCA, Luis Arráez Guadalupe, during the event held in Lanzarote from April 17 to 19. This year’s competition saw participation from 230 productions across the archipelago’s eleven Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs).
The event awarded a total of 58 prizes: 13 Grand Gold Medals, 26 Gold Medals, and 15 Silver Medals, along with special distinctions for the Best Organic Wine of the Canary Islands, Best Wine chosen by Oenologists, and Best Image and Presentation.
Among the highlights, Brumas de Ayosa Malvasía Aromática, crafted by SAT Viticultores de la Comarca de Güímar under the Valle de Güímar PDO, was selected as the Best Wine of the Canary Islands 2024 for its sweet Malvasía category. This accolade marks the wine’s second consecutive win, highlighting its consistent quality.
Additional special awards included the Best Organic Wine of the Canary Islands going to Pagos de Reverón Barrel Dry White Wine by Eugenio Reverón Sierra S.L. (DOP Abona), which also received a Gold Medal. The Best Wine by Winemakers’ Choice was awarded to La Cerca, produced by Productos Importados de Alimentación S.A. (DOP Canary Islands) in the dry and/or barrel-fermented white wines category, also securing a Gold Medal.
The competition demonstrated the vast array of viniculture in the Canary Islands, with significant representation from Tenerife, La Palma, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, La Gomera, and Fuerteventura. Notably, in 2023, ninety percent of the accommodations advertised through the event were located outside the three main urban areas, supporting the decentralization of tourism and showcasing the broader geographic diversity of the wine production.
Quintero praised the high quality of the wines in this year’s competition and noted a 29% increase in participation over the previous edition. He emphasized the evolution of Canary Island wines over the last two decades, crediting the professionalism of local winegrowers, winemakers, and oenologists.
This year’s competition also highlighted the commitment of the winning winery to quality over quantity, with an exclusive production from the Malvasía variety, a flagship of the archipelago. This winery’s limited production focuses on quality, producing about 200,000 bottles per vintage, of which approximately 1,200 are from the award-winning batch.
Overall, the event not only celebrated the best of Canary Islands winemaking but also underscored the importance of maintaining high standards and supporting local production, thereby enhancing the regional wine industry’s reputation both locally and internationally.
