Tenerife yesterday opened its presence in the Madrid Gourmet Hall with a tasting of wines from the valleys of Güímar and La Orotava and the participation of two of its cheeses in the final of the Contest of the Best Cheeses in Spain. The La Orotava wines were dry white Chivita, from Bodega La Viñita, and barrel-fermented Arautava, from Arautava Wines; and those from Valle de Güímar, a 1400 white barrel-fermented and the red Brumas de Ayosa.
In addition to authorities such as the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, and the regional councilor for the primary sector, Alicia Vanoostende, professionals from the hospitality industry, importers and visitors passed through the Tenerife booth, who were able to taste some of the best products from Tenerife, such as extra virgin olive oil, cheese, honey, liqueurs or wines. The other four denominations of origin of wines that operate on the Island also participate: Abona, Tacoronte-Acentejo, Ycoden-Daute-Isora and Las Islas Canarias. In addition, the homemade liquor factory La Vieja Licorería, the Quesería de Benijos and the multifloral chestnut and heather honeys of the El Productor brand, made by Juan Carlos Martín Robles and of the Miel de Tenerife Protected Designation of Origin, are represented. Piedra Alta is also present, a superior category extra virgin olive oil, specializing in the picual and arbequina varieties, which is produced by hand in Jardina.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Council of Tenerife, Javier Parrilla, defended in Madrid the “prestige” of island products in Spain: “Their quality must generate a new line of marketing towards the gourmet product,” he advised. The Salón Gourmets de Madrid has 1,600 exhibitors and until Thursday it is expected to receive the visit of 70,000 professionals.
