Envínate "Benje" Blanco Tenerife Canary Islands 2024

This wine is nothing short of electric. Grown at over 1000m above sea level, on Tenerife's volcanic slopes, this Listan Blanco (also known as Palomino) bursts out of the glass like an actual volcanic eruption of gun smoke, ripe orchard fruit, white peach and zingy citrus. Nutty, with notes of dried lemons and dried grass, all wrapped in a crusted-salt character. This compelling saline edge complements the subtle thread of pithy fruit, the delicate texture adding complexity. Benje Blanco certainly shows exactly why Envinate is so prized for their volcanic white wines. A unique and delicious wine with amazing texture and abundant food pairing potential.

Envínate (translates as "wine yourself") is the brainchild of four friends, winemakers Roberto Santana, Alfonso Torrente, Laura Ramos, and José Martínez. This gang of four formed back in 2005 while studying enology at the University of Miguel Hernandez in Alicante. Upon graduation, they formed a winemaking consultancy, which evolved into Envínate, a project that focuses on exploring distinctive parcels mainly in the Atlantic-inflected regions of Ribeira Sacra and the Canary Islands. Their collective aim is to make profoundly pure and authentic wines that express the terruño of each parcel in a clear and concise manner. To this end, no chemicals are used in any of the Envínate vineyards, all parcels are picked by hand, the grapes are foot-trodden, and the wines are fermented exclusively with wild yeasts, with a varying proportion of whole grape clusters included. For aging, the wines are raised in old barrels and concrete, and sulfur is only added at bottling, if needed. The results are some of the most exciting and honest wines being produced in Spain today.