A Volcanic Warm-Up in Dublin: Lanzarote Wines Take the Spotlight
As autumn settled over Ireland, there was a spark of Canary Island warmth in the air on the 26th of September.
Just ahead of this year’s Eat Spain Drink Spain celebrations, we were delighted to bring a taste of Lanzarote to Dublin, with a special volcanic wine tasting hosted by our ambassador, Sinéad Smyth.
Set in the cosy surroundings of the city centre, the evening served as a preview of the Spanish flavours to come throughout October, and an opportunity to introduce Irish wine lovers to some of the island’s most distinctive wines, grown in ash, shaped by wind, and unique to Lanzarote.
Volcanic Identity in Every Glass
Lanzarote’s vineyards are unlike any in the world. From a distance, they appear lunar: vines growing in craters of black volcanic ash, each one protected by hand-built stone walls to guard against fierce Atlantic winds. The wines that emerge from this landscape are equally compelling: mineral, fresh, and full of personality.
Sinéad led guests through a carefully curated lineup that included sparkling, white, rosé, red, and semi-sweet wines, each bottle offering a different perspective on the island’s native varieties and winemaking approach.
The event began with a sparkling rosé from Bodegas Los Bermejos, made using the traditional method. Bright, dry, and elegant, it was a natural conversation starter.
That was followed by Amalia, a white wine from Bodegas Rubicón, made with 100% Malvasía Volcánica, Lanzarote’s flagship white grape. Lees ageing gives the wine a lovely roundness and texture, and it sparked real interest among guests. Sinéad also took a moment to acknowledge Don Germán López, who recently retired after a long and influential career at Rubicón, leaving behind a proud legacy in Canarian winemaking.
The New Generation of Lanzarote Wine
We were particularly excited to showcase two wines from Bodega Olivina, one of the newest additions to our portfolio. Founded by Jorge Rodriguez, a former agricultural engineer with experience at El Grifo and several family projects, Olivina represents the next generation of Lanzarote winemaking.
Tasting his rosé and red wines side by side, both made from 100% Listán Negro, was a highlight of the evening. Guests were able to compare two distinct styles from the same grape and producer, gaining insight into how Jorge’s careful vineyard and cellar decisions influence the final result.
These are Jorge’s first releases under his own label, and the feedback was unanimously enthusiastic.
A Sweet Ending, with Historic Roots
The tasting closed with El Grifo Semidulce, a lightly sweet white from the oldest winery in the Canary Islands. Founded in 1775, El Grifo is more than a winery; it’s a living archive of the island’s winemaking heritage, and still family-run today.
An Evening of Connection
For us at Wine Shop Lanzarote, events like this aren’t just about pouring wine; they’re about creating connection. Between guests and grapes, yes, but also between cultures, landscapes, and stories. Sinéad, as always, brought her warmth, knowledge, and deep appreciation for Lanzarote to the room, and we’re proud to have her representing our wines in Ireland.
While the evening wasn’t part of Eat Spain Drink Spain officially, it set the tone beautifully for the weeks ahead, showing that Spanish wine is more diverse, more surprising, and more exciting than many realise, especially when it comes from the volcanic soils of the Canaries.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special tasting.
