Volcanic wines

Not literally wines made from grapes grown on the sides of volcanoes although we will be tasting some of these.

There are many parts of the wine world where vines grow on soils formed from the weathering of volcanic rocks, otherwise known as “extrusive igneous” rocks. 

According to the Wine Enthusiast "basaltic terroirs make up a significant portion of global volcanic terroirs." Regions with basaltic terroirs include Mount Etna, the Willamette Valley, the Canary Islands, Soave Classico and Australia’s Yarra Valley. 

Elsewhere volcanic terroirs are found in Tenerife, the Azores, Languedoc, Napa and Sonoma valleys, Campania, Alsace, Tokaj and Santorini. &nbsp

Benjamin Spencer, winemaker and author of The New Wines of Mount Etna, believes that volcanic soils can contribute an “exciting tension, edginess and savory quality” to the wines they produce. 

We'll taste a range of these wines to explore whether the concentration in acidity and mineral compounds found in volcanic soils does indeed produce wines with extra fruit purity, elegance, suppleness and a mouth watering finish. 

This evening tasting will include six well chosen wines made from grapes grown on volcanic soils from around the world and some cheese.

Image - Vine cultivation in volcanic soil in Lanzarote, Canary Islands / Getty