Bon Vivant: (n) a person having cultivated, refined, and sociable tastes especially with respect to food and drink.

Blog

Did you know: 5 Facts about Tempranillo!

Posted in: Bon Vivant, Helpful Hints, Seasonal Sips, Wine 101, Wine Facts, Wine Pairing

Lately, there seems to be a delegated day (and a corresponding hashtag) to just about everything- in case you didn’t mark it in your calendar, today is #TempranilloDay.

In light of this most important holiday I wanted to share 5 fun facts about this popular grape:

  • While Tempranillo is most closely associated with the Rioja region of Spain, it is also grown domestically in California, Arizona and Texas.
  • Spanish Tempranillo is categorized into 4 age categories: Cosecha, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. Typically, younger wines are more fruit forward and lighter in body, while older Tempranillos develop bolder, more earthy and nuanced characteristics.
  • Younger wines should be consumed while young, while Reservas and Gran Reservas (the latter is only produced in outstanding vintages) are more suitable for aging.
  • All Tempranillo is high in acid and medium bodied, making it an extremely versatile pairing wine. Try it with roasted pork or charcuterie for a can’t miss pairing!
  • Tempranillo is the most widely planted grape in Spain.

What’s your favorite Tempranillo?

cheers

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *