Viñátigo Vijariego Blanco 2024

For decades, Juan Jesús Méndez has been the driving force behind the Canary Islands’ grape revival, tracking down and rescuing the archipelago’s forgotten varieties. Viñátigo is his living library, and this wine? It’s one of its most thrilling chapters.

Vijariego Blanco is a rare native grape known for its wild adaptability and electric acidity. At Viñátigo, it’s grown in small, hidden parcels across extreme sites, from sea level up to 1,000 meters in the pine-forested highlands of Icod de los Vinos. Juan Jesús ferments and ages it in barrel, building a subtle creaminess that tames the wine’s razor-sharp energy.

Think of it as Chablis’ volcanic cousin, but with more salt, more smoke, and a lot more soul. The nose hums with ripe pear, vanilla pod, and smoky undertones, while the palate crackles with zingy acidity and a deep, stony salinity that lingers like a memory. Pair with roasted chicken with lemon and herbs, or simply a plate of fresh cheese and salty almonds as the sun sets.