El Grifo Moscatel de Ana

El Grifo has worked the volcanic island of Lanzarote for almost 250 years, the oldest winery in the Canary Islands. This Moscatel de Alejandría comes from vines grown in the island's black volcanic ash, each planted in a hollow and sheltered by a low stone wall against the constant Atlantic wind, a method that traps moisture and lets the vines survive with almost no rain. The volcanic soil and maritime setting give the fruit concentration and a fine line of acidity. After fermentation the wine spends around 30 years of oxidative ageing in cask, where slow, deliberate exposure to air converts alcohol into aldehydes and builds the nutty, dried fruit character of a long aged sweet wine while the sugars caramelise. The colour is deep amber to mahogany. The nose is complex, with walnut and roasted nuts over dried apricot, honey and aromatic dried herbs. The palate is deep and long, viscous yet lifted by a bright natural acidity and an orange marmalade tang that keeps the residual sugar balanced. Serve cool at around 12C in a small glass. It suits nutty hard cheese, caramel desserts and fruit cake.