Gastronomy and wines of Tenerife, unmissable routes and tasting

Tenerife is enchanting, but not only for its endless landscapes and dreamlike beaches, but also for its delicious gastronomy and wide variety of wines. Its exquisite culinary secrets and local wines are another of the reasons that make the island an essential destination for lovers of good food and drink.

  In the kitchen, fusion is the term that best defines the gastronomic tempo: tradition and avant-garde perfectly combine the Guanche, Spanish and African influences that are rooted in Tenerife's history. At the table of a chicharero, as the people of Tenerife are popularly known, you can enjoy unique dishes such as the famous papas con mojo (potatoes in a typical Canarian sauce), grilled cheese or a typical escaldón stew. Grandma's kitchen Although Tenerife has more and more first class restaurants and the hotels endeavour to offer various alternatives so that guests can get to know traditional dishes, you can't pass through Tenerife without visiting a guachinche. These typical eating houses perfectly reflect the traditional cuisine and offer dishes that are as quintessential as they are tasty. Ropa vieja: A classic Tenerife dish, ropa vieja, is a veal stew accompanied by chickpeas and potatoes, cooked slowly until tender and full of flavour. It is said that in the past it was made with leftovers from preparing more elaborate dishes such as broths, chickpeas or soups. Escaldón: This is an old island recipe, the main ingredient of which is gofio. But what is gofio? Gofio is a mixture of toasted and ground cereals that form a kind of flour. It is eaten with milk, kneaded into a dough or as a stew. To do the latter, the flour is added to any stock you have; it will be just as tasty if you make it with meat, fish or vegetables! Special dates are the festivals such as the Saborea Tenerife event or the GastroCanarias Food Fair, held every May at the Santa Cruz Exhibition Centre, which are a great option for discovering the latest trends that are being cooked-up on the islands. Wines of Tenerife: An adventure for the palate Tenerife's winemaking tradition goes back centuries. The microclimates generated by its geographical characteristics allow the cultivation of unique grapes that give rise to wines with their own personality. Thus, the island has indigenous varieties, among which the Listán Blanco and Listán Negro vineyards stand out. These vines produce fruity white wines and elegant reds, with earthy notes and saline hints, thanks to the influence of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Immersing yourself in Tenerife's wine culture is an activity that, if you are a fan, can't be missed during your holidays. Bodegas Monje, Suertes del Marqués and Bodega Viñátigo are just some of the options where you can taste artisanal wines and learn about traditional winemaking techniques. If you are an oenology lover, you should take the routes that will show you the island's Designations of Origin: from the Orotava Valley to the Tacoronte-Acentejo D.O., each region offers surprising landscapes and opportunities to taste wines in idyllic surroundings. D.O. Abona, D.O. Valle de Güimar and D.O. Ycoden-Daute Isora are other outstanding areas in this regard. Perhaps during your holiday you will choose to enjoy a day of sightseeing with a stop for lunch in the guachinches, a swim in the sea followed by a lunch of fresh fish or, on the other hand, a wonderful brunch of cheese and wine with a view of Mount Teide. Whatever you do, Tenerife will awaken your senses and, with its wide range of gastronomic offerings, you will return from your holiday with a great taste in your mouth.