Vijariego Blanco, or Diego as it is known on Lanzarote and La Palma, is a grape variety that originated in Andalucia and was brought to the Canary Islands when they were first colonized. Remarkable for its tendency to ripen at 11.5% alc/vol while retaining a high level of acidity, it is frequently used as the base for sparkling wines or to provide freshness in a white blend. At Rofe, they prefer to select the oldest parcels of Diego to make Chibusque – a pure example of this frequently overlooked variety. It is fermented and aged in a decommissioned Manzanilla cask.
