Tempranillo

Tempranillo is a very old, thick skinned grape variety with deep colour. It’s the fourth most planted grape variety in the world and the most widely planted red variety in its native Spain. In fact, the name Tempranillo actually comes from the Spanish word temprano, meaning “early”, in reference to the early ripening of the grapes in comparison to other varietals. While Tempranillo is the dominant Spanish grape, it’s primarily used for blending with other varieties including Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, to create a wonderfully balanced red wines, such as those from Rioja.

Tempranillo wines tend to be quite complex with many layers of flavour. You’ll generally find it delivers significant red fruit flavours of cherry, strawberry and raspberry, along with a hint of fig. Notes of tobacco, leather, cedar and spice are also present and become particularly prominent when the wine is aged in oak barrels. This is rounded off by a smooth and lengthy finish where tannins come to the fore.