Craving a glass of red wine? Ideal on these chilly, long winter nights. We want to tempt you with a Tempranillo, Spain's number-one wine grape. Surprising fresh and fruity, or as it ages, oaky and rich. Find out why wine fans love it by wine writer Joelle Thomson.
Spain has about 90 per cent of the world's Tempranillo grapes and is responsible for the name of this grape, which comes from the word Temprano, which means early. It's a fitting name because Tempranillo is a grape that ripens early, which makes it reliable in years when the weather is challenging. Planted in an impressive 202,000+ hectares of land in Spain, Tempranillo grapes represent about 42 per cent of the country's total vineyard area, which is about five times New Zealand's vineyard land. So, if you want a smooth Tempranillo wine, remember Spain is one of the big three winemaking countries.
Here are some of my favourite tasty Tempranillos with tapas by wine writer Joelle Thomson.
2020 Telmo Rodriguez Bodega Lanzaga LZ Rioja, $30
Firm dark fruit flavours are held in a smooth red with great structure and power but no oak ageing. This wine is all about the grape and the place. It comes from the Rioja wine region and is made from 100 per cent Tempranillo by Telmo Rodríguez, a Spanish winemaking dynamo.
Graze with: A great cheddar, aged or young.
Dine with: Slow roasted lamb shanks.
2022 Mesta Organic Tempranillo, $18
Dark, smooth and deliciously, boldly multi-layered in taste. Gentle spicy aromas, ripe dark berry flavours, and organic certification make you buy this consistently excellent Tempranillo. It comes from Uclés in Castile-La Mancha, south of Madrid.
Graze with: Chorizo or salami on crusty bread with black olives.
Dine with: Meaty burgers on the BBQ with beetroot, picked or fresh.
2019 Bideona de Laderas Rioja, $27
For a wine that's made from vines that are mostly 50 years old, this Rioja represents incredible value for money with its deep ruby colour, firm tannins and beautifully integrated spicy aromas. Top drinking now, or you can age further for at least five years. It is made from hand-picked grapes grown on old vines that are grown low to the ground to benefit from the warmth of stony soils and ripen to develop lush fruity flavours.
Graze with: Smoked and cured meats with seed crackers.
Dine with: Mushroom and lentil soup with crusty sourdough and olive oil.
