Discovery of the Tempranillo grape variety, the emblem of wine-growing Spain!

Tempranillo, which built the reputation of Spanish wines, is a grape variety that has won the hearts of wine lovers around the world. Its name, which means “the little early one”, refers to the fact that it ripens very early. This characteristic makes it possible to offer early-ripening cuvées with rich flavours and aromas.

It is the star among red grape varieties in Spain, covering more than 230,000 hectares of Spanish vineyards.

The history of the Tempranillo grape: a benchmark of Spanish heritage

Tempranillo is one of the grape varieties with a long history, going back several centuries. This variety was born of winegrowers’ passion and the natural evolution of the grape, whose cultivation and development have proved highly successful.

It is the result of a natural cross between Albillo Mayor and Benedicto, two ancient grape varieties from northern Spain.

In Spain, Tempranillo is found in the regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Cigales and Toro. It goes by different names depending on the region, such as:

• Tinto Fino;

• Tinta del País;

• Tinta de Toro.

Tempranillo is a grape variety that has earned pride of place in the world of wine thanks to its quality and versatility. Whether in Rioja, Ribera del Duero or other regions, it forms the backbone of very fine red wines, highly prized for their fruity notes and lovely structure on the palate. Whether you are a novice or a connoisseur, the Tempranillo grape is well worth discovering and enjoying.

You will find it in a good share of our full-bodied reds.

The aromatic and taste profile of Tempranillo wine: a whole bouquet of flavours

Tempranillo produces deep garnet red wines, marked by aromas reminiscent of cherry, raspberry and dried fig. Each cuvée is an experience in its own right.

On the palate, the aromas are expressive and the wine proves supple. The flavour of the wine is strongly influenced by the climate specific to each terroir:

• Cooler regions give dominant flavours of blueberries, raspberries and cherries;

• Regions with a warmer climate put plum and spice centre stage.

Wines made from Tempranillo are elegant, full-bodied wines with very low acidity that appeal to a wide range of tastes.

The small Tempranillo grapes, which ripen early, are not only the origin of the variety’s name; their thick skins also bring a high tannin content. These tannins are absorbed by the wine during barrel ageing and combine with the tannins from the barrels, giving it a remarkable ageing potential.

A well-travelled grape: the wine regions known for growing Tempranillo

Tempranillo is a grape variety that has adapted and thrived across the different regions ofSpain and their different climates.

This grape variety is grown on many wine estates around the world, but some regions stand out in particular for the quality of their Tempranillo wines.

Rioja

Rioja is without doubt the wine region most renowned for growing Tempranillo. Located in northern Spain, the region is known for producing elegant, well-structured red wines.

Rioja wines are often blends, with Tempranillo as the dominant grape variety.

Ribera del Duero

Another region of Spain where Tempranillo, known here as Tinta Fina, reigns supreme: Ribera del Duero. The region is renowned for the depth and complexity of its wines. These wines offer a refined expression of the Tempranillo grape, known here as Tinta del País or Tinto Fino.

Toro

In the Toro region, Tempranillo, known as Tinta de Toro, produces full-bodied, powerful wines. Thanks to the region’s climate, the wines are highly concentrated and structured on the palate.

La Mancha

In terms of planted area, this region is the largest wine-growing area in the world, and Tempranillo is grown there on a large scale.

Which food pairings with Tempranillo for a harmonious tasting experience?

Tempranillo is a grape variety whose red wines have power, structure and wonderful aromatic complexity. These qualities make it ideal for pairing with a very wide variety of dishes. Here are a few food pairing suggestions that will highlight the richness of Tempranillo.

Roast lamb

The rich, bold flavours of roast lamb go wonderfully with Tempranillo wines. For a truly special experience, serve your Tempranillo wine with a well-roasted leg of lamb flavoured with herbs and spices.

Grilled steak

Grilled steak is another excellent match for a Tempranillo wine. The pronounced flavours of grilled steak pair perfectly with the bold flavours of Tempranillo wines.

Mushroom risotto

For a more original pairing, enjoy a Tempranillo-based wine with a mushroom risotto. Its creaminess will match perfectly with the softness and velvety texture of Tempranillo wines.

Chocolate cake

If you are looking for a truly indulgent pairing, try a Tempranillo wine with a good chocolate cake. The rich, sweet taste of the chocolate cake is a wonderful match for the fruity, bold flavours of Tempranillo wines.

The most famous Tempranillo wine estates

Tempranillo is the grape variety of choice for many famous wine estates, particularly in Spain. Here is an overview.

The Vega Sicilia estate

Vega Sicilia is one of the world-renowned estates of Ribera del Duero. Its famous “Unico” wine, for example, is a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon with a particularly long ageing. It is a wine of international repute, known for its great complexity and exceptional longevity.

The Palacios Remondo estate

The Palacios Remondo family has been linked to the winemaking tradition since 1651. Building on this experience and heritage, José Palacios Remondo took over the family estate and planted the finest traditional grape varieties of Rioja, giving birth to the Palacios Remondo estate.

The estate, which covers around a hundred hectares of vines, lies in the eastern part of the Rioja Baja region, north of the town of Alfaro in Spain, and enjoys an ideal location at the foot of the Yerga mountain. Every cuvée from this estate is the fruit of an ardent passion for wine and meticulous work.

The vineyards are planted on rolling hillsides with excellent south-east exposure, at altitudes of up to 550 m. Garnacha is the estate’s flagship grape variety, with a strong presence in its wines, blended with Tempranillo, the well-known Spanish black grape.

The Bodegas Muga estate

Bodegas Muga is another renowned wine estate in Rioja. It offers a very varied range of wines, most of them based on the Tempranillo grape.

For example, its “Prado Enea Gran Reserva” enjoys great renown and is the most classic expression of Rioja Tempranillo.

The Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez estate

This winery, located in the Ribera del Duero region, stands out for its Tinto Pesquera, a 100% Tempranillo wine that the wine critic Robert Parker called one of the best wines in Spain.

Tempranillo’s aromatic richness, its softness on the palate and its ability to adapt to different terroirs make it a precious grape variety for wine lovers the world over.