🍇 Tempranillo

Tempranillo is a dark-skinned wine grape from Spain. According to the OIV, in 2015 it covered 231 thousand ha worldwide and was the fifth variety on the planet by area.

According to VIVC's DNA markers, the parents of Tempranillo are Albillo Mayor and Benedicto. The catalogue lists 96 synonyms. In Portugal the variety is called Aragonez and Tinta Roriz, and in Spain it is also known as Cencibel, Tinto Fino, Tinta del País, Tinta de Toro and Ull de Llebre.

The variety buds early, ripens early and has a short cycle; hence the name, since the Spanish temprano means «early». The vines are very vigorous, and yields range from 2 to 10 t/ha. Tempranillo is susceptible to powdery mildew and excoriosis and sensitive to severe drought and wind. In a warm climate it gives dark wines with high alcohol and low acidity.

Outside Spain the variety is not widespread: it is grown in 17 countries, but 88% of its area is in Spain. There it covered 203 thousand ha, or 21% of the vineyards, and since the early 2000s its area has grown by 41.5%. In neighbouring Portugal it is the leading variety by area, with 18 thousand ha.

Why it matters to you. «Tinta Roriz», «Aragonez», «Tinto Fino» or «Cencibel» on a label are the same Tempranillo. A variety named on an EU wine means at least 85% of that variety. Red wines are served at 15–18 °C and stored lying down, at 10–16 °C.