Wednesday

Grapes in a Volcanic Island

The island of Lanzarote (Lanzarote) refers to the Canary Islands (Spain). It is also called an "island volcanoes" - on a small island is about 60 wide and 15 km are about three hundred volcanoes. In autumn 1730 together with thirty craters began to erupt lava and ash. The eruption lasted for six years, and as a result of one-third of the island was covered with basalt and lifeless ash. This is a very negative impact on agriculture, Lanzarote, but did not stop the local growers, which in the end, successfully adapted to grow grapes right in a volcanic desert.
The main part of the vineyards of Lanzarote is situated in the valley of La Geria, which is significant for its covered by a thick layer of ash. Grape seedlings are planted in specially dug pits or trenches up to several meters wide. This is done first to make it easier to get to the roots to the topsoil, and secondly, to ensure the grapes with moisture. There are virtually no rainfall, irrigation is also not practical, the plants are fed with dew, which condenses on the walls of "funnels". Saturated soil with ash, in turn, tends to hold a long moisture.
Grape pits, usually surrounded by a special wall of basalt, for protection from searing winds.



























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