Lanzarote Sweet Wine Wins Gold at International Wine Competition
Lanzarote’s distinctive wine-making tradition has received another international boost, after a sweet wine produced on the island won a Gold Medal at the 2026 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The result puts the spotlight on Lanzarote wine and the unusual volcanic landscape that helps make the island’s vineyards so distinctive.
The award went to Timanfaya Dulce Selección 1999, made by Bodegas Timanfaya. It was recognised during the competition’s Sweet and Fortified Wines Session, held in Thuir, France, from 9 to 11 October 2026.
The session brought together 417 wines from almost 30 countries. A total of 134 medals were awarded, including 62 Gold Medals and nine Grand Gold Medals, according to the competition organisers. The result is a notable achievement for a wine from an island better known to many visitors for its beaches, sunshine and volcanic scenery.
Two more Lanzarote wines recognised
The good news did not stop with the Gold Medal. The Protected Designation of Origin Vinos de Lanzarote also received two CMB Merit 2026 distinctions. These went to Timanfaya Dulce Natural Selección 2018, from Bodegas Timanfaya, and Vulcano Dolce Moscatel 2017, from Bodega Vulcano de Lanzarote.
Together, the results offer a reminder that Lanzarote produces more than the dry white wines many holidaymakers first encounter. Sweet wines and Moscatel expressions are also part of the island’s wine story, and the latest awards provide another reason for curious visitors to explore local wineries and look for wines made here.
Why Lanzarote wine is so unusual
One of the most memorable parts of a trip through Lanzarote’s wine country is the landscape itself. In areas such as La Geria, vines grow in hollows dug into layers of volcanic ash, with curved stone walls helping protect them from the island’s persistent winds. The growing method is shaped by the island’s dry conditions and the need to conserve moisture while sheltering the vines.
The result is a vineyard landscape unlike the neatly lined rows found in many other wine regions. Dark volcanic soils, low stone barriers and scattered vines create one of Lanzarote’s most recognisable rural scenes. The island’s Protected Designation of Origin, established in 1993, safeguards the origin and quality of wines produced under the designation.
A wine experience to add to your Lanzarote holiday
For visitors planning things to do in Lanzarote, a winery visit can be a welcome change from a day at the beach. Exploring the island’s wine region gives travellers a chance to discover local grape varieties, learn how growers adapt to the volcanic environment and sample wines that reflect the character of the island.
La Geria is a natural starting point for anyone interested in Lanzarote vineyards, wine tasting and local food and drink. Visitors should check winery opening times and tasting arrangements in advance, as visits may require reservations.
The latest international recognition also gives residents a fresh reason to celebrate the island’s wine producers. Behind every bottle is a long process of cultivation and care in a challenging environment, and awards such as this bring wider attention to that work.
Whether you already enjoy Canarian wine or are discovering it for the first time, Lanzarote’s award-winning sweet wines are worth looking out for. The island’s volcanic landscape is part of the experience, but the recent results show that the wines themselves are also earning attention on the international stage.
