Spain's pride and joy is, of course, the Tempranillo grape. It's irresistible and can be used to make a wide variety of wines. Even white wine—yes, you read that right. If you press a Tempranillo directly without allowing the juice to come into contact with the skins, you get a white Tempranillo, or Tempranillo Blanco. The Tempranillo grape has left its mark on Spain, but also on countries like Portugal, Argentina, and Australia. It offers so much to winemakers that it can thrive in almost any climate. The origin of the Tempranillo grape lies, of course, in the Rioja region, where it has long produced grapes of exceptional quality. But let's not forget the Ribera del Duero, where it also produces beautiful bunches. There's also a happy medium: the Tempranillo Rosé!

The Tempranillo grape loves a powerful soil. With its deep roots and warm climate, it thrives. The vines can reach a very old age, well over a hundred years. Old vines produce relatively fewer bunches, but they are still very powerful. Therefore, top Tempranillo wines are usually made from very old vines. The grape ripens quickly and is harvested early in the season, as the name Tempranillo means something like "early small." Early ripening and small bunches are what we know about the Tempranillo grape.

Maturing a Tempranillo Wine

As you probably know, Tempranillo is the grape par excellence for aging in oak barrels. Its soft and refined character allows the barrel to influence the wine. This is typical of Rioja, for example, where the oldest wines are aged in oak barrels for up to 36 months. Tempranillo aging is usually expressed in months in the bottle, for example, Reserva, Crianza, and Joven in Spain. In other countries, this is usually expressed as Reserve or Reserva. The difference in taste between an unaged Tempranillo and an aged Tempranillo is enormous. Unaged Tempranillo is young and fresh, and especially soft, while a full-bodied, powerful, smoky Tempranillo is often aged for a long time in oak.

What does a Tempranillo wine taste like?

What flavor impressions does a Tempranillo wine impart? Well, a Tempranillo without oak aging has ripe, black fruit notes like blackberries, cherries, and currants. But some strawberry and raspberry are often also detectable. The transition to oak aging brings nuances of toasted wood, light spices, a touch of black pepper, and plums. Black fruit is also present, though to a lesser extent. The flavors are therefore quite distinct, and always ask for advice to find the right Tempranillo.

A Tempranillo wine pairs wonderfully with a good BBQ, spicy dishes, red meat, and roasted duck or lamb. But Tempranillo is also a perfect evening wine; enjoy a glass on the sofa and savor the grape's diversity. If you have a white Tempranillo, it's best paired with fish like cod and flatfish.