Tempranillo

Also known as: Tinta Roriz (Portugal), Aragonez (Alentejo)

Spain’s great red wine grape. Tempranillo ripens early – the name comes from „temprano“, early – and produces wines with dark fruit, fine tannin and remarkable ageing potential. Classically matured with oak in Rioja, often more concentrated and modern in Ribera del Duero.

Artadi in Rioja demonstrates that great single-vineyard Tempranillos can do without new oak. Felix Callejo in Ribera del Duero works on limestone and clay. And in Portugal, where the grape is called Tinta Roriz, Niepoort in the Douro produces some of the most exciting interpretations.