Texas Wine: Tempranillo is a Tempting Wine

Tempranillo is a bold red wine widely grown in its native Spain. The name comes from the root word temprano, meaning early because the grape ripens several weeks earlier than many red wine grapes. It has grown in the Iberian Peninsula since the early days of Phoenician settlements over 3,000 years ago. Known as the Noble Grape of Spain, Tempranillo is the dominant grape in wines made in the Rioja region of the country. Of the nearly 575,000 acres around the world, over 80% of Tempranillo come from Spain, with about 115,000 acres grown in the combined regions of Portugal, Australia, California, Argentina, and Texas.

The most well-known Tempranillo wines come from the Rioja region of Spain. In the 1990s, more of these wines began to be exported to the US, and many consumers assumed Rioja was the grape varietal. The grape is believed to be brought to the new world by Spanish Conquistadors in the 17th century, probably first to Argentina. During the 1990s, Tempranillo flourished in many regions outside Spain with significant plantings in Australia and South Africa. Tempranillo is doing very well in Texas, where soils and weather conditions are comparable to those in Northern Spain. As one of the most widely planted grapes in our state, some people think it will be the wine Texas becomes best known for.

Different from aromatic and fruity wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, Tempranillo has a fairly neutral profile on the nose and palate. Because of this, it often benefits from extended aging in barrels. Tempranillo wines are savory with notes of black plum, dried fig, leather, sweet tobacco leaf, cedar, and vanilla. Expect a medium to full body with medium to high tannin structure and low acidity. These wines pair well with cured meats, bar-b-que, tomato-based dishes, Spanish-style tapas, and grilled vegetables.

I was joined by 17 industry professionals to taste through 39 Tempranillo wines supplied by Texas wineries. What a day! Here are the Top 5 Texas Tempranillos from our tasting: