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Tenerife Wine That Cures

Blackberry BramblesInteresting story in Sunday's EL DÍA about the production of vino de mora (blackberry or bramble wine) in Taganana in the Anaga mountains in the north east corner of Tenerife. Apparently, this exclusive mixture that has been made for their own use in the area for years, is known for its curative properties on internal injuries.

Antonio Negrín, born in Taganana in 1953, is, they say, better known as a local Policeman in the Tenerife capital, Santa Cruz, a profession he has undertaken for the last 23 years, than he is for being one of the only three or four agriculturists who remain faithful to the traditional elaboration of blackberry wine.

Negrín, a member of the fifth generation of the family, who have lived in Taganana since around 1880, says demand has exploded in recent years, because of the rumoured curative properties and the rise in homeopathic and natural medicine.

The makers of this wine guard the secrets of its process of elaboration jealously. Some have diluted it - sacrificing quality - in order to make enough to keep up with demand and, says Negrín, there are really only two or three bramble bushes.

What struck me is how, only 50 or so miles away here in the El Palmar valley, almost all the paths and roadsides are lined with bramble bushes, yet there does not seem to be any tradition of using this fruit for any purpose and it appears not valued at all. Shortly after they had blossomed this year, the council came and cut them back so hard at the roadsides, that hardly any fruit was to be had.

In other years, I have found things to do with the surfeit, because I can't stand to see anything wasted. Didn't get around to wine making, however, but I do think this is a demonstration of the typical circumstance on this island, which, because of the steep geography and, until recent times, difficulties in communication, each area has developed quite different and distinct traditions and cultures.

Tenerife Carnival Dates for 2007

Carnival 2007 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The main events of Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2007 are:
  • Wednesday, February 14: Elección de la Reina del CarnavalThis is the televised huge gala for the selection of the Carnaval Queen, a spectacular event - for the size of the costumes - as well as performances of so many other groups involved.
  • Friday, February 16: Cabalgata anunciadora del CarnavalOnce the participants are all chosen, this is the parade on the Friday night that brings the carnival to the streets of Santa Cruz.
  • Tuesday, February 20: Gran Coso Apoteosis del CarnavalThe main event of carnival is this big parade that happens on the afternoon of Shrove Tuesday. This is again televised, but that is no substitute for being there, preferably in costume. If you are visiting the island from elsewhere, this is the date you will not want to miss. 
  • Wednesday, February 21: Entierro de la Sardina"Officially", the end of carnival, when the poor old sardine has his blasphemous funeral, followed by a cortege of wailing widows; men dressed up like pantomime dames and who are "on the game".  
The whole of the carnival had to be moved to the following weekend, owing to bad weather, in 2006, which is the only time in my 15 years here that I have know anything like that to have happened and, fingers crossed, it remains so. 

Two more [unconfirmed] items that I think are worth seeing, if the usual calendar is followed, are the Kids Parade on the following Saturday (in 2007, this will be February 24th) and the parade of Vintage Cars on the Sunday morning (February 25th, 2007) around the streets of Santa Cruz.

While the Carnaval in Santa Cruz is undoubtedly the biggest and most famous, those who want a taste of the fun with a little less bustle, can head to any one of the other carnivals held in just about every town and village on the island.

Carnaval 2007 in La Orotava

In La Orotava, where the theme is "Fiestas in Egypt", the Gran Coso (Main Parade), is being held on Tuesday, February 20th. An Old Car Rally starts the day off at 10 a.m. that morning from the Plaza de la Constitución and, at 4 p.m. the carnaval parade begins from Cruz del Teide to Plaza de la Paz (El Calvario). Malibu Band and others are in charge of the knees up from 7 p.m. onwards. On Thursday, February 22nd, there is also a Drag Queen Festival at 9 p.m. in La Orotava, featuring drag acts from Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

Carnaval in Puerto de La Cruz 2007

The theme in Puerto de la Cruz this year in "Paris in the 20's" and the most important event of this international carnaval is their Gran Coso Apoteosis del Carnaval (Main Parade), which is held on Saturday, February 24th, from 4 p.m. onwards in the streets; Avda. Colón, Plaza de los Reyes Católicos, Calle Obispo Pérez Cáceres, Avda. Generalísimo, Calle Zamora, Calle Santo Domingo, Calle La Marina, Plaza del Charco, Calle San Felipe and Paseo Luis Lavaggi.

Carnaval in Los Gigantes 2007

Tenerife Sun tell us that, "In Los Gigantes the Carnival runs from March 1-5 and the theme for those wishing to get heavily involved is Mexico."

Carnaval in Los Cristianos 2007

While I cannot yet find details on Los Cristianos carnaval for 2007, which is typical as they just don't do advanced warning, this is the biggest in the south.

Tenerife Land of Eternal Christmas

Sunbathing SantaDesert Island ChristmasScuba Diving SantaTropical Santa
Santa's Having a Whale of a TimeSurfing SantaWaterski SantaCamel Rodeo Santa
With a wide range of products in each design, click the pics (above) to see the full selections.