Listán Negro
Encyclopedia
Listán Negro is a red Spanish wine
grape variety that is widely planted in the Canary Islands
, particularly on the island of Tenerife
where it is a permitted variety in the Denominaciones de Origen (DO) wines of Tacoronte-Acentejo
, Valle de la Orotava
, Ycoden-Daute-Isora
and Valle de Güímar
. It is also permitted in the Spanish wine regions
of El Hierro
, Gran Canaria
, La Gomera
, La Palma
, Lanzarote
. Across the Canary Islands more than 5,000 hectares (12,400 acres) are planted to the variety. Listán Negro is the black-skin version of the Palomino grape (Listan Blanco) that used in the production of the fortified wine
Sherry
.
In 2007, DNA fingerprinting done by the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología in Madrid, Spain discovered that Mission grape that was widely planted in the earliest New World vineyards in the America was a genetic match to Listán Negro. Despite the genetic match, there is enough clonal variation that has occurred over the centuries of geographical separation that the Mission grape of the Americas and the Listán Negro grape of the Canary Islands are classified by the Vitis International Variety Catalogue
as two separate grape varieties. Part of the variation is likely because some of earliest plantings by the Spanish missionaries were from grape seeds which are the result of pollination
and sexual propagation and thus more likely to have slight differences from the parent vine than propagation through cuttings.
, where it was known as Listan Prieto, during the 16th century. Settlers to the Canary Island brought the vine with them and eventually it made its way to the Spanish colonies in Mexico and Peru
. From there, the grape spread throughout North and South America where it develop clonal variations that became grape varieties that are now known as Mission in California and Mexico, Pais
in Chile and Criolla Chica in Argentina.
to produce a soft fruity, medium-bodied wines that can be highly aromatic. In recent years, producers have been experimenting with oak aging. It is commonly seen as a varietal
wine in Tacoronte-Acentejo but in other DOs it is often blended-usually with Negramoll (Tinta Negra Mole), Tintilla and Malvasia Rosada. Some producers on Tenerife also make a sweet wine from Listán Negro with grapes that have been dried in the sun
.
, Listán Negro is planted in hollowed pits dug into the volcanic soils that is sheltered from the strong Atlantic winds by stone walls that are built around the vines in a semicircle.
Under the synonyms of Listan Prieto, the Vitis International Variety Catalogue also list Duhamelii, Listan Morado, Molar, Mollar, Mollar de Cadiz, Mollar de Granada, Mollar de Huelva, Mollar Morado, Mollar Negro, Mollar Prieto, Mollar Sevillano, Mollar Zucari, Mollis, Mollissima, Morisca Negra Mole, Sabra Molle, Tinta Molle, Tinta Sabreirinha and Tinta Sobreirinha.
Spanish wine
Spanish wines are wines produced in the southwestern European country of Spain. Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain has over 2.9 million acres planted—making it the most widely planted wine producing nation but it is the third largest producer of wine in the world, the largest...
grape variety that is widely planted in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
, particularly on the island of Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
where it is a permitted variety in the Denominaciones de Origen (DO) wines of Tacoronte-Acentejo
Tacoronte-Acentejo
Tacoronte-Acentejo is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines located in the Anaga Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the island of Tenerife, . It was the first region in the Canary Islands to acquire DO status, in 1992...
, Valle de la Orotava
Valle de la Orotava
Valle de la Orotava is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines located on the north-western coastline of Tenerife, , and acquired its DO in 1995.-History:...
, Ycoden-Daute-Isora
Ycoden-Daute-Isora
Ycoden-Daute-Isora is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines located in the western part of the island of Tenerife,...
and Valle de Güímar
Valle de Güímar
Valle de Güímar is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines located on the south-eastern coastline of Tenerife, , and acquired its DO in 1996.-Geography:...
. It is also permitted in the Spanish wine regions
Spanish wine regions
The mainstream quality wine regions in Spain are referred to as Denominaciones de Origen and the wine they produce is regulated for quality according to specific laws....
of El Hierro
El Hierro (DO)
El Hierro is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines that covers the entire island of El Hierro, the smallest and westernmost island of the Canary Islands, Spain. It acquired its DO in 1994.-History:...
, Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria (DO)
Gran Canaria Denominación de Origen covers the entire island of Gran Canaria comprising 21 municipalities. It obtained its official status in 2003.-Grapes:Preferred varieties:...
, La Gomera
La Gomera (DO)
La Gomera is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines that covers the entire island of La Gomera comprising the six municipalities of San Sebastián de la Gomera, Hermigua, Agulo, Vallehermoso, Valle Gran Rey and Alajeró...
, La Palma
La Palma (DO)
La Palma is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines that covers the entire island of La Palma, in the Canary Islands, Spain. It acquired its DO in 1994....
, Lanzarote
Lanzarote (DO)
Lanzarote is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines that covers the entire island of Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, Spain. It acquired its DO in 1993, and there are currently 2,300 ha under cultivation.There are four subzones:...
. Across the Canary Islands more than 5,000 hectares (12,400 acres) are planted to the variety. Listán Negro is the black-skin version of the Palomino grape (Listan Blanco) that used in the production of the fortified wine
Fortified wine
Fortified wine is wine to which a distilled beverage has been added. Fortified wine is distinguished from spirits made from wine in that spirits are produced by means of distillation, while fortified wine is simply wine that has had a spirit added to it...
Sherry
Sherry
Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the town of Jerez , Spain. In Spanish, it is called vino de Jerez....
.
In 2007, DNA fingerprinting done by the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología in Madrid, Spain discovered that Mission grape that was widely planted in the earliest New World vineyards in the America was a genetic match to Listán Negro. Despite the genetic match, there is enough clonal variation that has occurred over the centuries of geographical separation that the Mission grape of the Americas and the Listán Negro grape of the Canary Islands are classified by the Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Vitis International Variety Catalogue
The Vitis International Variety Catalogue is a database of various species and varieties/cultivars of grapevine, the genus Vitis. VIVC is administered by the Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding in Siebeldingen, Germany, and contains information from grapevine collections existing in...
as two separate grape varieties. Part of the variation is likely because some of earliest plantings by the Spanish missionaries were from grape seeds which are the result of pollination
Pollination
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred in plants, thereby enabling fertilisation and sexual reproduction. Pollen grains transport the male gametes to where the female gamete are contained within the carpel; in gymnosperms the pollen is directly applied to the ovule itself...
and sexual propagation and thus more likely to have slight differences from the parent vine than propagation through cuttings.
History
Listán Negro was widely planted in the Castile regionKingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
, where it was known as Listan Prieto, during the 16th century. Settlers to the Canary Island brought the vine with them and eventually it made its way to the Spanish colonies in Mexico and Peru
Spanish colonization of the Americas
Colonial expansion under the Spanish Empire was initiated by the Spanish conquistadores and developed by the Monarchy of Spain through its administrators and missionaries. The motivations for colonial expansion were trade and the spread of the Christian faith through indigenous conversions...
. From there, the grape spread throughout North and South America where it develop clonal variations that became grape varieties that are now known as Mission in California and Mexico, Pais
Pais
Pais is a red wine grape that has played a prominent role in the Chilean wine industry. Up until the turn of the 21st century, it was Chile's most planted variety until it was overtaken by Cabernet Sauvignon. Today it is most commonly used in the creation of jug wine in the Bío-Bío, Maule and Itata...
in Chile and Criolla Chica in Argentina.
Wine styles and winemaking
Many winemakers on the Canary Islands favor the use of carbonic macerationCarbonic maceration
Carbonic maceration is a winemaking technique, often associated with the French wine region of Beaujolais, in which whole grapes are fermented in a carbon dioxide rich environment prior to crushing. Conventional alcoholic fermentation involves crushing the grapes to free the juice and pulp from the...
to produce a soft fruity, medium-bodied wines that can be highly aromatic. In recent years, producers have been experimenting with oak aging. It is commonly seen as a varietal
Varietal
"Varietal" describes wines made primarily from a single named grape variety, and which typically displays the name of that variety on the wine label. Examples of grape varieties commonly used in varietal wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot...
wine in Tacoronte-Acentejo but in other DOs it is often blended-usually with Negramoll (Tinta Negra Mole), Tintilla and Malvasia Rosada. Some producers on Tenerife also make a sweet wine from Listán Negro with grapes that have been dried in the sun
Straw wine
Straw wine, or raisin wine, is a wine made from grapes that have been dried to concentrate their juice. The result is similar to that of the ice wine process, but suitable for warmer climates. The classic method dries clusters of grapes on mats of straw in the sun, but some regions dry them under...
.
Viticulture
On the island of LanzaroteLanzarote
Lanzarote , a Spanish island, is the easternmost of the autonomous Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 125 km off the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering 845.9 km2, it stands as the fourth largest of the islands...
, Listán Negro is planted in hollowed pits dug into the volcanic soils that is sheltered from the strong Atlantic winds by stone walls that are built around the vines in a semicircle.
Synonyms
Various synonyms have been used to describe Listán Negro and its wines, including Almuñeco, Listán Negra, Listan Prieto, Palomino Negro, Printanier Rouge, Negra Común and Negromuelle.Under the synonyms of Listan Prieto, the Vitis International Variety Catalogue also list Duhamelii, Listan Morado, Molar, Mollar, Mollar de Cadiz, Mollar de Granada, Mollar de Huelva, Mollar Morado, Mollar Negro, Mollar Prieto, Mollar Sevillano, Mollar Zucari, Mollis, Mollissima, Morisca Negra Mole, Sabra Molle, Tinta Molle, Tinta Sabreirinha and Tinta Sobreirinha.