Tempranillo ("Tempranillo" in its true pronunciation) is a red grape variety of Spanish origin. The word tempranillo is a diminutive of the Spanish temprano, meaning "early": Tempranillo ripens several weeks earlier than most red Spanish varieties. Tempranillo forms the basis of many of the best wines from Spain and Portugal. Almost every wine from Rioja and Ribera del Duero is based on Tempranillo. In Portugal, this variety is widely used in winemaking in the Douro Valley - both for the production of table wines and in the creation of fortified wines - ports.

Manufacturer

For several centuries, the Carrión Family owned vineyards, produced wines and sold them in the town of Jumilla. At the end of the 19th century, the Carrion family built a new winery of large size. In those years, the vineyards of France were affected by phylloxera, thanks to which the export of wines began to actively develop from Jumilla to France. And since then, it is generally accepted that 1890 is the year the Garcia Carrion company was founded. Currently, García Carrión has its vineyards in many regions of Spain and produces all its wines at its own winemaking complexes in the production area.

Tempranillo wines can be easily found in any store; they go well with a wide variety of dishes, and at the same time, for their price, they offer a rich flavor palette.

If you've never tried Tempranillo wines or only drank them a couple of times, this article will help you catch up and get to know this variety better.

Characteristics of Tempranillo wine

Fruity notes: cherry, plum, dried figs

Other notes: tomato, cedar, leather, tobacco, vanilla, dill, clover

Oak aging: usually aged in American or French oak for 6-18 months

Tannins: mid/high

Acidity: medium/low

Fortress: 13-14.5%

Main countries: Spain (more than 80% of the world's vineyards), Portugal, Argentina, Australia, USA.

Total: 232,700 Ha (as of 2010)

Other names: Tinto del Toro, Tinto Fino, Tinto del Pais (Spain); Tinta Roriz & Aragonez (Portugal)

Regions: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Valdepenas

What does Tempranillo wine taste like?

Spanish Tempranillo has a rather contrasting flavor palette: from leather to ripe cherry, and the better and higher quality the wine, the more clearly the balance between notes of earth and fruit is felt in it. The finish is usually quite long and smooth, rich in tannins. The taste of Tempranillo from the New World (Argentina, Mexico, USA) usually goes towards the fruit, here you can easily detect cherries and even tomato sauce, coupled with shorter and coarser tannins and less distinct “earthy” notes. The body of the wine from this variety can be described as medium to full-bodied, with red fruit at the core. If you haven't tried Tempranillo before, its flavor profile may remind you of Sangiovese or Cabernet Sauvignon.

A few more words about the body of wine

A good vintage and aging in new oak barrels make Tempranillo wines full-bodied. However, compared to, for example, Syrah, the grapes of this variety have rather large berries and thin skins, so this wine seems more transparent in the glass. Spanish winemakers prefer the traditional method of aging in oak, which is why Tempranillo wines always have a characteristic brick-orange hue. The rich, full-bodied flavor of this wine typically contrasts with a texture that is not oily or dense.

What dishes does Tempranillo go with?

Thanks to its taste, Tempranillo goes well with a wide variety of dishes. First of all, of course, with Spanish cuisine, rich in fried vegetables and cured meats. The famous Iberico jamon, for example, will make an excellent pair with a glass of Tempranillo. However, being varied, Tempranillo wines complement well not only local Spanish food, but also dishes from other world cuisines:

• lasagna, pizza, dishes based on tomato sauces
• barbecue, grilled meat, smoked dishes
• polenta, corn and cereal based dishes
• Mexican cuisine: tacos, nachos, burritos

Tempranillo is one of the few grape varieties whose leaves turn bright red in the fall. Photo: Felix

What to look for when choosing Tempranillo wine?

If you want to buy a bottle of good Spanish Tempranillo, it doesn't hurt to first understand the markings on the label. Most Spanish wines are officially classified into four types according to their aging time:

• Vin Joven: young wines of the current year that are meant to be drunk immediately. They are rarely aged in oak and are not often found outside of Spain.
• Crianza: These red wines are aged for two years, including six months in oak. Typically, manufacturers prefer to use American oak, since it is noticeably stronger than its analogues (for example, French oak)
• Reserva: These red wines are aged for three years, one year of which in oak. Their quality is much higher, they have a rich and rounded taste.
• Gran Reserva: made from the best vintages, aged for five years, 18 months of which in oak. Many producers choose to age these wines in barrels for 20-30 months to achieve a truly magnificent taste.

A little history of Tempranillo

People have been drinking wine in Spain for 2000 years.

Evidence that ancient Spain drank wine was found in 1972, when, during excavations in the town of Baños de Valdeorados in northern Spain, archaeologists discovered a mosaic depicting Bacchus, the God of Wine. Since Tempranillo appeared in Spain as early as 800 BC, it is quite possible that the mosaic depicts wine from this variety.

In general, Spain owes the appearance of grapes to the Phoenicians; it was they who brought it to the southern part of the country. Tempranillo originates from there, so it is likely that it is a relative of the Phoenician varieties of Lebanon. Currently, Tempranillo is mainly grown in the regions of Navarre and Rioja, which are 300 miles west of Barcelona.

Wine is the noblest of alcoholic drinks. Aristophanes once said: “Wine makes everything look noble.” And he was absolutely right!

People give wine not just the properties of an alcoholic drink, but also endow it with a mystical gift. It is not for nothing that red wine symbolizes the blood of Christ. In ancient Greek mythology, wine even had its own patron - Dionysus - pagan and fun. An entire scientific base and the science that studies it - oenology - have been created for the study of wine. In addition, it has been proven that wine not only destroys health, but also helps with certain pathologies (if consumed wisely). Wine is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and several other conditions.

One can endlessly talk about the taste of wine, about preferences, combinations of the drink with cuisine from different nations of the world, about its age and astringency. As long as we talk about our favorite grape variety: Tempranillo, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Dolcette, Merlot, Muscat, Riesling, Cabernet and many other types. The grape variety is no less important than the place where it grows and the terroir (soil). Good winemakers take pride in their wine and the place in which the grapes are grown. Therefore, you can often find wines of a geographical name. What does it mean? For example, it is manufactured in the province

Most people around the world give their preference to red wines. The most famous wines are drinks made from Cabernet grapes. So much is said and written about cabernet that it seems that everyone knows about this drink. And who takes second place on this list?

An honorable second place in popularity in the world is occupied by wine made from Tempranillo grapes. What do people know about him besides his impeccable taste? It's time to remember.

Description of Tempranillo

Tempranillo wine has a beautiful and rich red-burgundy hue. From Tempranillo grapes it is possible to obtain both drinks intended for long aging. Aged wines have rich fruity notes and the necessary acidity. They often have a berry bouquet: from strawberry to cherry.

Wine comes in both white and red. The most popular is dry red wine Tempranillo, which is valued for its velvety taste.

Tempranillo wine has its own personal celebration. It was invented in Spain. Tempranillo Day is celebrated on November 12th.

Spanish wine

Tempranillo can easily be classified as a wine from the Spanish and Portuguese region. The word tempranillo is a diminutive of the Spanish word temprano, which means "early, early." The name was given for a reason, because this grape variety is one of the first to ripen.

Tempranillo wine acquires an exceptional taste in Spanish lands. There are about 28 different varieties of this grape in Spain. The Spaniards themselves believe that the best variety is grown in Rioja. So Bodegas is an excellent example of a long-aging varietal wine. More than three quarters of all vineyards in Spain are sown with Tempranillo.

Tempranillo is a Spanish wine that is part of such famous brands as Arzuaga Crianza from Ribera del Duero, Faustino Finca 10 Tempranillo, Finca Bessaia Crianza, Campillo El Niño de Campillo, Castillo Labastida Reserva and other. The price range also fluctuates. Grapes are included in both expensive vintage Spanish wines and cheap ones. Most of them are dry red wines.

Opinions about wine

Today you can find various reviews about Tempranillo wine left by lovers and connoisseurs of red wines. People write about the unexpectedly pleasant and soft taste of Spanish wines. Among the positive qualities are the relatively inexpensive price, pleasant aftertaste, lightness and softness. As well as notes of tobacco and oak barrels in which the wine is stored. The largest number of reviews have been written about the wine "Elegido" produced by "Vina Tridado".

What to drink wine with?

Like many other varieties, Tempranillo wines go well with cheeses, especially blue cheeses: brie, camebery, cheddar. The wine also goes well with sea fish, red meat (stewed and fried), and game. Rice would be an excellent side dish. In general, Tempranillo goes well with almost all dishes of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine: sausage, fried vegetables, fried seafood, jamon, partridge.

Tempranillo is a widely available wine with a great aroma and taste that goes well with a wide variety of dishes.

23.08.2016 22:35:00

Basic information about Tempranillo

Main producers: Spain, Portugal, USA, Australia.

Around the world, this grape variety grows on 500 thousand acres.

Main notes: cherry, plum and tomato.

Additional notes: leather, tobacco, vanilla and clove.

Aging: in American or French oak barrels, usually for 12-18 months.

Acidity: medium (-).

Common synonyms: Tinto del Toro, Tinta Fina and Tinto del Pais in Spain; Tinta Roriz and Aragonez in Portugal.

Other names: Rioja, Valdepeñas, Ribera del Duero, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva.

What does Tempranillo taste like?

Taking a sip of Spanish Tempranillo, you will immediately notice the aroma of leather and cherry. The finish is soft, smooth, with long tannins.

Tempranillo from the New World has notes of cherry and tomato sauce with short tannins. Tempranillo tastes similar to Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tempranillo, aged in oak barrels, has a richer flavor. Due to the large berries with thin skins, this wine is more transparent in the glass than, for example, Syrah.

In Spain, Tempranillo is aged in traditional oak barrels, which gives it an orange hue.

Despite the intense taste, the structure of the wine is usually not oily and light.

Gastronomic compatibility of Tempranillo

Tempranillo goes well with all types of dishes.

In Spain, it is accompanied by national dishes, including fried vegetables, sausages and jamon.

Tempranillo is no less good with Italian cuisine - lasagna, pizza and dishes with tomato sauces.

It also goes well with Mexican dishes - tacos, nachos, burritos and chili releno.

Tempranillo is worth trying with polenta and other corn dishes.

What to look for when buying Tempranillo

If you buy Spanish Tempranillo, pay attention to its aging period, which is indicated by the following symbols indicated on the labels.

• Vin Joven is a young wine that has not been aged in barrels and is not intended for long-term storage. Rare outside Spain.
• Crianza are red wines aged for 2 years, 6 months of which in American oak barrels.
• Reserva are red wines aged up to 3 years, of which 1 year was spent in oak barrels. These wines are of higher quality and are characterized by a rich, rounded taste.
• Gran Reserva - produced only from the best millesim grapes, aged for at least 5 years, of which at least 18 months - in oak barrels. Most producers age this wine in barrels for 20 – 30 months.

The average price for a good Tempranillo Rioja Crianza is 900 rubles.

A Brief History of Tempranillo

Wine has been known on the territory of modern Spain for almost 3 thousand years. In 1972, archaeologists discovered a mosaic depicting the god of wine Bacchus in the municipality of Baños de Valdearados, Burgos province in north-central Spain. This mosaic was laid by an unknown artist around 800 BC.

It is believed that the vines were brought to the south of the Iberian Peninsula by the Phoenicians. Since the homeland of the Tempranillo variety is located right here, it is possible that it is a descendant of vines that once grew in the territory of modern Lebanon, which was part of the possession of the Phoenicians.

Today Tempranillo is grown mainly in Navarre and Rioja, located 300 miles west of Barcelona.

Discover the diverse and rich world of alcohol, where every consumer can find their own product that creates the ideal combination of taste and aroma. When looking for such a drink, you will definitely pay attention to Tempranillo wine.

These are versatile alcoholic products that every modern manufacturer produces in accordance with personal preferences. That is, among them there are products that can satisfy the interests of both brutal men and gentle female representatives.

Did you know? Literally translated from Spanish, Tempranillo means “premature” or “early.”

Tempranillo wines are exquisite alcohol produced from the grape variety of the same name, which appeared many centuries ago in Spain.

In particular, we note that this is not just red wine, but a real extravaganza of diverse products, each of which has its own unshakable spirit and unique tasting characteristics. By paying attention to drinks aged in oak barrels, you will certainly find your own unique drink.

Color

Thanks to the thick skin of the Tempranillo grape with a large amount of coloring pigments, the color of each drink shows richness.

Aroma

The range of aromas of exquisite Spanish products delights with fruit and berry trails, perfectly combined with an abundance of fragrant spices.

Taste

Gastronomic ambitions are expressed by a gentle woody tartness, giving way to an exquisite fruity flavor.

How to buy the original

The modern market upsets consumers with a large number of fakes, so when choosing Spanish wine, try to approach the purchasing procedure responsibly. Otherwise, you will ruin your first acquaintance with an exquisite product.

In order not to make a mistake and choose a decent alcohol for your evening tasting, be sure to pay attention to:

• Consistency. Since real Tempranillo is an aged alcohol, you will never find new growths in its structure. The presence of sediment and turbidity automatically indicates a fake character.
• Excise tax. All foreign alcohol must be protected by an excise stamp. The absence of this element of protection is only possible in situations where you buy products in a free trade zone.
• The bottle and the quality of its design. Before purchasing the product you like, visit the manufacturer’s official website. This will allow you to get acquainted with what the original container of alcohol should look like. Also carefully inspect the entire bottle for manufacturing defects. Modern manufacturers, using modern bottling lines, eliminate the appearance of glass chips, glue drips, deformed lids and other unpleasant aspects on the container.
• Place of purchase. Buy alcohol only from stores that can provide you with a quality certificate. Do not trust dubious trading platforms.

How to serve

Good things should be served in accordance with classical canons. Tempranillo in this case was no exception. This alcohol requires respect.

Consequently, products are poured only into tall, transparent wine glasses with a thin stem, which allow one to study the aroma and unique color of the products. Also pay attention to the temperature.

It is better to cool branded Spanish alcohol to 15-18 degrees. At these temperatures, red wine will give you a more balanced and delicate tasting experience. The product should be enjoyed in small sips, pouring it either from a branded bottle or from an elegant decanter.

What products does it combine with?

The ideal pairing for Tempranillo wine is selected individually. That is, before choosing snacks, you should familiarize yourself with the main taste ambitions declared by the manufacturer, and only then consider the range of gastronomic accompaniments.

In particular, if you don’t want to make a mistake when choosing an appetizer to accompany your Tempranillo alcohol, make sure that your tables have cold cuts, fruits, or sweet desserts.

Did you know? Today, Tempranillo grapes can be found under a variety of names. The most popular of them are Arinto, Tinto Fino, Tinto and Aragonès.

Other uses

Try to squeeze the maximum aromatic and gastronomic flavors out of a store-bought Spanish drink. To do this, use the recipes of such cocktails as Cassis, Xeres, Lafayette, Kaiser, Amontillado, Zaza, and Picture.

Each of them will allow you to reveal the amazing colors of Tempranillo, which previously you simply could not experience when consuming drinks in their pure form.

What types of this drink are there?

When looking for your reference drink, you are guaranteed to not be able to pass by Tempranillo wines. Possessing a multifaceted tasting nature, they are able to win the hearts of almost any modern consumer.

In particular, popular brands that have won the trust of consumers include:

• Sogrape Vinhos Mateus Tempranillo Rose. Pink alcohol created exclusively on the basis of Tempranillo. It has fresh fruity notes in the aroma and a pleasant, balanced taste, in which traces of strawberries and wild strawberries can be traced.
• Camina Tempranillo Rose La Mancha DO. Dry red wine Tempranillo is pink in color with expressive raspberry tints. The gastronomic palette is based on a fruit and berry combination, while the bouquet of aromas highlights the tones of red fruits, peach, cranberry and strawberry.
• Bodegas Volver Paso a Paso Tempranillo La Mancha DO. It has a deep dark red color with a delicate purple tint. The gastronomic structure reveals cherry and red currant, while the aromas are replete with notes of red berries in syrup and spices.
• Urbina Tempranillo Rioja DOC. The drink is cherry-red in color with a slight ruby ​​tint. Its aromas reveal notes of licorice, flowers and berries, and its taste reveals a combination of fruity and nutty overtones.

Brief historical background

Some of the first mentions of Tempranillo wine date back to the 13th century. At that time, this alcohol occupied a significant place in winemaking and was considered one of the most popular.

In the modern world, a special increase in the popularity of alcoholic products from the above-mentioned grape variety was noticed in the 90s of the 20th century, namely during the arrival of the so-called “new wave” of winemakers. During this period, a large number of single-origin drinks appeared from various regions of Spain.

Note that previously these wines were produced overwhelmingly in Rioja, but today they are created in Navarre, Penedes, Ribera del Duero and other areas.

Did you know? In Central Spain, at the end of the 20th century, a mosaic dating back to 800 BC was discovered. e., and it depicts the god of wine Bacchus.

Exquisite drinks with excellent taste

The collection of alcohol from Tempranillo grapes can please even the most sophisticated consumer. Both connoisseurs of strong and sharp wines and admirers of gentle, soft natures will find their joy in it.

The line of these products is so extensive that you will have to spend a lot of time selecting your ideal drink, but in the end you will still find it. The fact that Tempranillo is also a universal wine deserves special attention.

They are suitable for intimate conversations and mass feasts. They can be drunk either pure or diluted.

Visit the nearest alcohol market in your city today to replenish your collection with dry red wine worthy of your respect.