Sip happens and on Thursday, November 10 we can be forgiven for leaving no wine behind as we celebrate International Tempranillo Day.
This black grape is native to Spain and used to make full-bodied red wines – its name comes from the Spanish word ‘temprano’, which means early. This is a reference to the fact that Tempranillo grapes ripen earlier than most other grapes in Spain.
Native to the Iberian Peninsula, Tempranillo is planted throughout the world and as of 2018 was the third most widely planted grape. Here are four fun facts about this drop and four of our favourite wines to imbibe:
•Tempranillo vines are easy to identify as they have jagged leaves that turn bright red in Autumn.
•The grape is called ‘Aragonez’ in Portugal and plays a major role in Portuguese wine production.
•Tempranillo is very food-friendly, pairing well with grilled meat, tacos, burritos and other dishes with a tomato base.
•Wines made from this grape have cherry, plum and dried fig aromas and flavour.
Find the ultimate wine experience of tasting, dining and staying onsite at Adina Vineyard & Olive Grove on Lovedale Road in Lovedale. Located in the wine region of the Hunter Valley, this family-owned estate and olive grove boasts a cellar door, restaurant and accommodation; grapes have been grown onsite since the 1860s with Adina settling for only the highest quality wines, olive oil and produce.
Expect to sample drops like the 2018 Tempranillo – medium ruby in colour with red fruit flavours of cherry and raspberry, this wine has a natural capacity to age and can be cellared for up to 20 years.
Nestled in the heart of the historic, organic and biodynamic Warboys Vineyard, Angove McLaren Vale Vineyards and Cellar Door handcrafts a wide range of wines using sustainable and organic practices. Located on Chalk Hill Road, this fifth-generation family business is a leader in the organic wine industry with its philosophy that naturally healthy soils and vines lead to more flavourful and delicious wines.
Sample the 2021 Family Crest Tempranillo made from a vineyard on the outskirts of the small town of Willunga. With a lifted nose of dark cherries, raspberries and sandalwood, the palate has luscious cherry flavours, delicate spice and soft tannins.
Creating great-tasting wines which reflect the true character of the grape and the land is the ethos behind Jacob’s Creek on Barossa Valley Way in Rowland Flat. Built on the banks of Jacob’s Creek, which still flows through the heart of the Barossa, the vineyards stretch to the Adelaide Hills and Coonawarra, producing wine that’s inspired by the regions they are grown in.
The 1847 Tempranillo is a modern red that celebrates more than 170 years of Australian winemaking, with aromas of fresh plums, dark berries and subtle spice notes – pair this wine with a mildly spiced curry, vegetables or pasta and hard cheese.
Nestled in the heart of King Valley in northeast Victoria, La Cantina on Honeys Lane is the home of the Corsini family vineyard and winery. Built from Glenrowan granite in traditional Tuscan style, the winery and cellar door offer a unique tasting experience of cool climate wines, made following family traditions of no added preservatives, retaining the full characteristics of each drop and vegan-friendly.
Tempt your palate with a glass of 2019 Tempranillo, matured in French oak barrels for 18 months and displaying deep red colour, a medium to full body and notes of dark fruit and spice.
Remember…it’s wine o’clock somewhere!
