Tempranillo
Tempranillo is Spain’s most important quality red grape variety and forms the backbone of some of the country’s greatest wines, from Rioja to Ribera del Duero. Its name comes from the Spanish temprano, meaning ‘early’, a reference to the variety’s early ripening compared with other Iberian grapes. Tempranillo produces deeply coloured red wines with generous red and black fruit aromas, including cherry, blackberry and plum. Oak ageing adds delicate notes of vanilla, leather and tobacco. Structured, with firm yet silky tannins, the wines can age with remarkable elegance. Some of its finest expressions come from renowned producers such as Vega Sicilia, CVNE and Marqués de Riscal, demonstrating Tempranillo’s exceptional ageing potential.
