Origin and Style
The variety's name comes from the Spanish word temprano, meaning 'early'. Tempranillo ripens several weeks before most other red varieties, protecting the harvest from autumn frosts. Its homeland is northern Spain, where it has been cultivated for centuries.
In the glass, classic Tempranillo is recognized by aromas of ripe cherry, plum, leather, and tobacco leaf. The variety has moderate acidity and soft tannins. This allows winemakers to produce both light, youthful releases and complex, age-worthy wines with decades of potential.
