This week I decided it was about time I did a wine profile on another grape variety that is close to my heart, the Tempranillo. I’m thinking of one person in particular whilst writing this post. He was just getting into wine and said he loved drinking wine when he was on Contiki in Spain and Italy but didn’t like it back home (I know, I know). I suggested he try some Spanish and Italian varieties instead of the specials at BWS (yep, he bought six wines and gave them all a crack…you can imagine how that one went). Anyway, long story short when he found out about Tempranillo and started calling it ‘Temp-ran-illo” to get a rise out of me. Needless to say, it became a bit of a running joke!

It is understandable not knowing how to pronounce this wine, of course. The way it’s spelt is confusing! I bring it back to the fact that this wine variety just isn’t that well known in Australia. But it really should be, particularly because what was once a predominantly Spanish wine is growing in popularity in wine regions across Australia! Oh, happy day! So let’s look into this mighty Spanish grape and why it holds a special place in my heart, and my cellar.

Spotlight on Tempranillo

Tempranillo is the dominant grape in Rioja, and it is considered one of the nine noble red grapes in the world. Sounds pretty fancy to me! It is actually the fourth most planted grape in all the world!

It is often blended with other wines, but increasingly can be seen on its own, particularly with the introduction of Tempranillo from around the world. Although it is a Spanish variety, this grape lends itself to hot climates, making it perfect for growing conditions in places like Portugal, Australia, Argentina and the US.

Tempranillo also lends itself to many different flavours in food, making it a perfect pairing for many cuisines, so it isn’t just the grape that adapts! Tempranillo wines can be intense but are usually medium bodied with a good whack of tannins. These tannins make Tempranillo wines great for ageing, encouraging cellaring for over a decade.

The best part about Tempranillo wines is that they are incredibly affordable! Sure, for your aged Spanish wines you’ll pay top dollar, but the average price of Tempranillo comes in at under $20 a bottle. So you can get great food wine for an awesome price!

Origins

As I mentioned, Tempranillo was first grown in Spain. It is an incredibly old variety, with the earliest mention of the variety in 1807. However, it is believed that this wine was introduced in Spain and Portugal by the Phoenicians more than 3,000 years ago.

The name Tempranillo comes from the Spanish word temprano which means “early”. Now that doesn’t mean it doesn’t age well, in fact, it comes from the fact that the grapes ripen far earlier than the other grapes native to Spain.

Tempranillo became famous as the dominant red grape in the Rioja region, which was really the first Spanish wine region to become popular. Typically it is blended with Grenacha (Grenache) to make the red Rioja wine.

Flavour profile

Tempranillo wines have a distinct savoury flavour. They are medium to full bodied, depending on ageing, and also carry a medium level of acidity.

The age really impacts the flavour of the wine. Younger Tempranillo is quite juicy in its flavour, but older Tempranillo has deeper, dark fruit notes and leather characteristics. Throughout all Tempranillo, you’ll find varying levels of cherry, dried fig, cedar, tobacco and dill. Realistically this wine smells very masculine, and I can imagine Ron Burgundy would liken it to ‘Rich Mahogany’.

Tempranillo is typically quite smooth to drink but has a nice kick of tannins. Tempranillo that is grown outside of Spain usually has much more fruity flavours than those of Spain. Regardless of the region though, you’ll find if you are a fan of Sangiovese or Cab Sav, you’ll enjoy this variety. It is easy going and not too heavy, but still absolutely delicious with food.

Where you’ll find it

You can normally find Tempranillo in most bottle stores these days, as it has really grown in popularity. Depending on where it is from, and how old it is, it will really vary in price. Typically Tempranillo from Australia will have a much higher price tag than a Tempranillo from Spain, but the Australian wineries are making some fantastic drops! For really cost effective options the wines from Portugal tend to be the cheapest. However, you can’t go wrong with a traditional Spanish wine, where over 80% of the world’s Tempranillo vines are planted.

In Australia, you’ll find Tempranillo is taking off, with regions such as Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and the Margaret River having great success. It was first planted over 20 years ago in the Barossa, however, it has really expanded in popularity due to the hot Australian climate.

Luckily for us wine drinkers, there’s even more Tempranillo on the market with a great range of price points. You won’t be hard pressed to find it at your local store, online or even at restaurants.

What to look for

If you are after a Spanish Tempranillo experience, you need to decide the type of wine you want to try. Spanish wines are typically ranked by their age, and each classification requires a certain amount of ageing first in oak and then in bottle before it can be sold under that name. So keep your eye out for the following (and the corresponding price point):

•  Vin Joven, Roble or Tino: These are rarely aged in oak and made for drinking right now. These are definitely your go to’s if you are on a budget, or want a midweek wine! You won’t find these usually outside of Spain, but if you do, make sure you snap them up at a steal!
• Crianza: Tempranillo classified as Crianza must have 2 years of ageing with at least 6 months in oak.
• Reserva: These wines must have 3 years of ageing with 1 year in oak. This really adds to the flavour and quality of the wine, producing deeper and richer wines.
• Gran Reserva: These are from premium vintages and must be aged a minimum of 5 years before release, with at least 18 months of oak. Producers often take this further to 20-30 months. These are the wines with intense savoury flavours and real richness about them.

For other regions, make sure you don’t get put off by the colour. Because the skins are thinner on the grapes, the wine will usually be more translucent than its flavour suggests. It can also have an orange hue to it due to ageing. This means that its appearance may not match the big flavour you are getting in the glass, so make sure you don’t get put off!

What to pair it with

Tempranillo obviously goes well with Spanish foods. Think tomato-based dishes, tapas and paella. However, it also goes really well with spicy food like Mexican!

If these foods aren’t for you, don’t worry! The great thing about Tempranillo is that it is really versatile. Pair aged wines with meat such as steak or lamb, and younger wines with tomato-based dishes and pasta. Really this wine will go with most hearty main meals.

The Cheeky Vino picks

I drink a lot of Tempranillo, but don’t always put it up on the blog because often I find great drinking wines for cheap! However, one of my favourite wines from last year was a Tempranillo from the Granite Belt, so you know I’m not lying when I say I love this variety!

Here are some of my picks:

• Moonrise Estate Blue Moon 2013 Tempranillo
• Rabbit & Spaghetti 2016 Tempranillo/Mataro/Grenache
• Manos Libre Organic Single Vineyard Tempranillo Blend 2017
• Vinaceous 2015 Red Right Hand

The final word on Tempranillo

Tempranillo is such a great go-to wine. It is versatile, well priced and absolutely delicious with most main meals. This mighty Spanish grape is taking the world by storm, and I for one am so happy to see it popping up around Australia. It means that our wine stores are getting more choice when it comes to Tempranillo, which is always a good thing in my book!

If like my friend, you’ve never tried Tempranillo, I suggest you do. It is an incredibly approachable red wine without being too light. It also has so much to it, with different regions and ageing processes involved in its production.

However, the best thing about it is that you can snap it up at under $20 a bottle. It is by far one of the most affordable varieties from Europe that you can get in Australia, and when it tastes this good, you don’t need to feel the least bit embarrassed about buying a $9 wine. It will turn your takeout night into magic!