What is Tempranillo Wine?

Tempranillo wine comes from the soft red grape of the same name, which is Spain’s number one wine grape. Known as one of the world’s 18 noble grapes, Tempranillo has fruity characteristics, consisting mainly of cherry, plum, tomato, and dried fig.

Tempranillo wine produces a medium to full-bodied red wine. It is typically aged between 6 to 18 months in oak. It is also known as Tinto del Toro and Tinta Fina in Spain, and Tinta Roriz in Portugal.

The flavor of Tempranillo is very distinct. It is more savory than sweet. It has contrasting tastes of cherries and leather, with a smooth finish. New World varieties, which typically come from Argentina and the US, have more cherry flavor and less earthiness.

The History of Tempranillo Wine

Tempranillo is an old wine variety. Its ancient Spanish roots are in the north of the country and date back to the 13th century. The grapevine itself was said to be introduced by the Phoenicians to Spain and Portugal over 3,000 years ago, which makes it related to the ancient species located in Lebanon. It was first officially mentioned in 1807.

These days, there is a new style of winemaking in Rioja. Veering away from tradition, some winemakers use French oak instead of American oak when making Tempranillo wines. The result is a smoother wine with significantly less acidity. Though it lacks the earthiness of the traditional Tempranillo wines, they are currently receiving high ratings worldwide.

What Classifies a Tempranillo Wine?

Tempranillo wine is made from similarly-named grapes. These grapes, which come in red and black varieties, are located in the northern regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, central Spain. Tempranillo is the foremost red grape in the region, known to produce great tasting Spanish wines.

In Spain, the Rioja and Navarra regions produce a type of Tempranillo that has peppery notes with a hint of cinnamon and red cherry. The wines in Ribera del Duero, on the other hand, are deeper and darker with more blackberry flavor. La Mancha and Ribera del Guadiana, both located in Spain’s central region, also produce Tempranillo. Aside from 

Spanish vineyards, this wine is also produced in a smaller scale in Portugal, Argentina, Australia, and the USA.

The name of the grape comes from the Spanish word temprano, which, when translated, means “early” because it ripens earlier compared to other Spanish grapes. Its vines stand out in the vineyard because their leaves are distinctly jagged and deep-lobed. These leaves turn bright red in the fall, resulting in stunning fall foliage.

When it is young, this wine is fresh and fruity. As it ages, it develops a leather and tobacco flavor that wine enthusiasts crave and love. It has a ruddy orange hue, largely because of the style of traditional Spanish oak aging. It produces big, bold flavors without a thick and heavy texture.

Different Types of Tempranillo

When Tempranillo wines are classified, they are grouped according to the following aging terms: Rioja, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. These terms describe how these wine are aged. Generally, the rule is the more oak, the better the quality. Those wines that are aged longer are also more expensive.

Rioja’s former name was Vin Joven or young wine. These are young Tempranillo wines that are aged for 1-2 years without the richness and boldness of the other varieties. This zippy, fruity wine is rarely aged in oak and is meant to be consumed right away.

Crianza is aged for 2 years, 1 year in oak and 1 year in bottle. Crianza’s oak flavors are not that strong because they are usually aged in used oak. It’s reminiscent of a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Reserva wines are usually aged for three years, 1 year in oak and 2 years in a bottle. Because they are aged longer, they offer robust, round flavors.

Gran Reserva offers the most vibrant flavor, as it is aged for a minimum of five years. Winemakers select the best grapes for Gran Reserva.

What Foods Pair Best with Tempranillo Wine

Tempranillo wines are generally versatile because it pairs well with a variety of food without forsaking flavor. Since the dominant flavors of this wine are cherry, tobacco, dill, dried fig, and cedar, it is famously paired with cured and smoked meats. It is ideally paired with Regional Spanish food such as Iberico ham.

Rioja and Crianza have a significant juicy fruit flavor and some heat, while Reserva and Gran Reserva have darker

fruit notes, dry leaves, and a leather flavor. These match very well other food from all over the world such as tomato-based hearty pasta, pizzas, barbecued meats, roasted vegetables and smoky dishes. It also pairs exceptionally well Mexican food. The versatility of this wine also goes well with sheep’s milk cheeses such as Manchego.

What are Some Popular Tempranillo Wine Brands?

Alejandro Fernandez - This legendary Spanish winery was founded in 1972, in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. Alejandro Fernadez produces the exquisite Ribera Del Duero Pesquera Crianza 2014, which has a cherry red color with violet edges, making a clean and bright wine with medium-high robe. The wine has a high aromatic intensity in the glass with clean and appetising aromas of ripe red fruit over delicate toasted and expressive spiced hints and refreshing balsamic touches. This is truly an elegant, tasty and fresh wine. It has a long and silky mid-palate, full of fruit mixed with roasted nuances, and features excellent acidity and kind, tamed and juicy tannins. Very pleasant and long finish with a great persistence. James Suckling has given it a 92. Best enjoyed young.

Marques De Riscal - This winery, founded in 1858, is the site of a legendary building by master architect Frank Gehry. Their Rioja Reserva 2012 bottle has complex aroma of spices with a predominance of liquorice, while the oak remains discreet. In the glass, you can see intense color with a slight accumulation of yellow, masked by the powerful red hue of the grape. On the palate, the impression of acidity on the tip of the tongue is immediately reflected towards the back by a touch of persistent tannin. Meanwhile soft on the finish, with no fixation at the back of the mouth and a lasting sensation of toast developing underneath the tongue.

Marques de Caceres -This world renowned winery has been on the forefront of Spanish wine making since 1970. Their Reserva Rioja 2011 has a dark, dense color, as well as an intense, complex bouquet that confirms its ageing in quality oak: powerful aromas of blackberries and blackcurrants with a depth of toasted notes that blend with very fine oak. Pleasantly full on tasting, a glass of this is packed with concentrated flavors. This is clearly a wine of character and structure but with a nice, fleshy texture. Classy and elegant with good potential for ageing.