Tempranillo Wine: A Spicy Red From Spain

Tempranillo wine is a spicy wine that is the most famous of the Spanish red wines. Most of the wine regions in Spain grow Tempranillo including the well known regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Penedes.

The word comes from the Spanish word "temprano" which means early. The reference of earlier is due to this varieties tendency to ripen earlier than many other reds.

Although Spanish wine makers usually use it in red wine blends, wine drinkers in the county deem this their favorite type of red wine. It grows well in cooler climates.

It typically has hints of strawberry, cherry, spice and tobacco. Tempranillos are usually full-bodied wines.

It is best to drink it about 3 to 5 years after bottling. This is usually when it is at its peak.

A Wine of Many Different Names

There are quite a few different names used for this grape in other regions in the world. This is even true within different regions in Spain. In the Ribera del Duero region in Spain, it is commonly called Tinto Fino and also referred to as Tinto del Pais. It is called Ull de Llebre in the Catalunya wine regions.

In Portugal it's known by a number of names including Tinta Roriz and Aragones. In Argentina, it's usually called Tempranilla.

More & More Grow This Spanish Red Wine

As I mentioned above, Tempranillo wine is one of the most popular red wines in Spain. It is grown in the majority of the wine regions in the country including some of the most popular including Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Penedes in Catalunya. Even the southern wine regions in Andalucia, where the famous Sherry wines are made, is now planting this red wine.

Over the last few years, more and more countries and wine regions started to plant this grape. Its grown in some of the Portugal wine regions including Douro, where Port is made, and in Alentejo, near the border of Spain.

In the US, you can find it in the Carnaros wine region which is a small wine region located on the southern side of both Napa Valley and Sonoma County. In the southern hemisphere, this grape is grown in the Mendoza in Argentina, a few regions in Australia and even a little in South Africa.

Due to the increase of planting in other wine regions in the world, it's also becoming known as a fine wine internationally.

Find out more about the other popular types of red wine including:

Also, learn more about these regional red wine types: