Tempranillo

Origin of Tempranillo

Tempranillo originates from La Rioja, Spain. Spanish conquistadors brought the Tempranillo varietal to Argentina in the 1600s, and the vine has been planted more throughout Argentina in the last 100 years. The name “Tempranillo” originates from the Spanish word “temprano,” meaning early, because the grape ripens earlier than most. Tempranillo grapes are a deep black color with skin density ranging from normal to quite hard. 

Because of its high susceptibility to insects and diseases, Spanish wineries have needed to graft rootstock for their Tempranillo vines, creating a different, more manufactured, taste than the more organic Tempranillo without rootstock. Rootstock is a plant’s healthy roots grafted from an original planting to a new location to develop. The Tempranillo grown in Argentina does not face an insect or disease problem thanks to the dry weather.  In Argentina, most of the irrigation is done by hand and wineries can control how much water Tempranillo vines receive, lessening chances of rot. Mendoza holds the most Tempranillo vines at just over 6,150 hectares, with San Juan following at a mere 195 hectares. Portugal also grows Tempranillo and uses it extensively to create some of their Port wines.

Typicity

A pleasant, ruby-colored wine, Tempranillo tastes of dark, red fruits such as plums and cherries. In Argentina, Tempranillo tastes especially of black plum. There are also small aromatic hints of tobacco, coffee, and cocoa in the nose.  Aging the wine in American oak brilliantly enhances its vanilla flavor and velvety texture. 

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