Tempranillo Spanish Phonetic Pronunciation
Tem Prah Nee Lyoh
Tempranillo is one of the most famous and important red grape variety forming the backbone of some of the best/finest wines from Spain, as well as often Portugal too.
The red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero even though often blended, have a dominant proportion of Tempranillo at its core. In Portugal, Tempranillo is widely used including in the Douro Valley where it comes under the synonym name Tinta Roriz.
Tempranillo vines have been successfully planted in the New World, and tasty Tempranillo wines are made in California, Argentina or Australia for example. You may occasionally find it in the South of France as well (Languedoc).
Listen to the True Pronunciation of Tempranillo in the Video Below
Tempranillo literal translation means ‘little early one’, as this was the name originally given to it by the Spanish growers because the grape has as its main feature the ability to ripen early relative to most other Spanish grapes.
In Rioja and most other Spanish or Portuguese wine regions, Tempranillo is more often than not blended with other local grapes such as Garnacha (Grenache), Mazuelo, or Graciano.
You will also commonly find it blended with French international grapes (often from Bordeaux) like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Syrah.
Scientific studies suggest that the Tempranillo grape originated from Spain for sure, from the wine areas around Rioja and Navarra.
As far as winemaking for Tempranillo, the wines are often aged in French oak barrels, particularly American oak (Quercus Alba) in the province of Logrono (Rioja) although many favor a maturation in French oak containers.
Wine Review Video of a Fine Tempranillo from Rioja
Wine review of Torre Muga Rioja wine made primarily from Tempranillo.
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