Tempranillo Red Wine
The grape varietal for which Spain is best known and key to its best-known appellations Rioja, Navarra, Ribera del Duero and Jumilla. Tempranillo red wine is deep ruby in color with fragrances of strawberry, tobacco and leather which give way to savory cherry flavors and nuances of spice, clove, liquorice, fig and dill. Traditionally, tempranillo red wine is not bottled on its own but rather will constitute the majority of a blend (up to 85%) it may share with the likes of grenache, carignan, graciano, mazuelo, merlot or cabernet sauvignon. However, this is changing as a new generation of more intrepid growers seeks to harness the grape's full potential and experiment with varietal (i.e. 100%) tempranillo wines outside of its more famous appellations. Tempranillo red wine is almost always oaked and is hugely versatile when pairing with food, showing a particular affinity to roast lamb, all grilled red meats, Mexican cuisine and all types of charcuteria.
With the extended cellaring period true Rioja always requires, here are gorgeous perfumes and expansive flavour complexities >
With Easter feasting on the horizon, now’s a good time to think about which reds you’ll be putting alongside that festive >
Has expressive wild strawberry fruit, with a complex, savoury character and subtle, smoky vanilla notes. Has the polished, >
C.V.N.E’s Imperial Gran Reserva, a modern, richly-fruited and structured Bordeaux-beater of a Rioja, the style of which >
As Rioja goes this is very light and approachable style. Ripe cherry fruit character on the palate with savoury notes combining >
The attractive bright purple tinged colour leads you to a nose laden with ripe cherry and a subtle hint of spice. The palate >
Reviews taken from Decanter magazines Rioja Guide 2023:
"Impressively dark colour. Full of red fruit aromas with a mild oak >
"The 2019 Sancho Garcés Rioja Crianza is a lovely wine at a lovely price from one of Rioja Altas leading co-operatives: >
Quite a big tempranillo, so typical of Ribera, with a lovely seam of freshness. It's seen just 6 months in oak, which has >
A Spanish beauty from Tarragona, 100 miles southwest of Barcelona. Nine months ageing in barrel adds complex perfume and >
Interestingly, an element of Cabernet Sauvignon added to a majority of Tempranillo: notes of balsamic, leather and soy, >
Medium-intensity, dark cherry-red; clean and bright. To the nose it stands out for its fresh, spicy character, with hints >
Quite a big tempranillo, so typical of Ribera, with a lovely seam of freshness. It's seen just 6 months in oak, which has >