Tempranillo

Tempranillo is Spain’s flagship red grape variety, best known for producing the great wines of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The name comes from the Spanish temprano, meaning “early,” referring to its relatively early ripening.

It produces medium- to full-bodied red wines with moderate acidity and tannins. Typical flavours include red and black cherry, plum, strawberry, leather, tobacco and herbs. When aged in oak, it often develops notes of vanilla, coconut, spice and cedar.

Tempranillo is versatile: young examples can be fresh and fruity, while extended oak and bottle ageing can produce complex, savoury wines with considerable elegance and longevity. It is also grown under other names, including Tinta del País in Ribera del Duero and Tinta Roriz in Portugal.