Cape Verde (officially Cabo Verde) is a small archipelago off the coast of West Africa. Originally settled by Portuguese colonists in the 15th century, it has a Long history of wine production, mainly on the volcanic island of Fogo (which means "fire" in Portuguese). A range of European Grape varieties are grown here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscat, Touriga Nacional and Tempranillo.
The Vine arrived on the island with the Count of Montrond, a French aristocrat who had been exiled and was on his way to Brazil.
He settled on Fogo in the shadow of the volcano, planting his vines and producing a style of Sweet red wine that became known as "Manecom".
Since then, viticulture has been a viable option for small farmers who bring their grapes to the local wine cooperative. The islands are located about 650 km west of Senegal and 1,300 km South of the Canary Islands.
Fogo is home to Cape Verde's tiny wine industry, as well as an active volcano.
The vineyards are located on the black volcanic soil of the caldera itself. This soil is fertile and Rich in minerals, allowing the bush vines to grow healthily and produce good grapes for wine production.
Altitude is another key aspect of the region's Terroir. Cape Verde is much closer to the equator than most of the world's major wine regions, which are located at 14°N.
