Perfect Pairings: Tempranillo

Tempranillo is a red wine grape variety that is widely grown in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in the regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero in Spain. It is known for producing wines that are medium to full-bodied with flavors of dark fruit, tobacco, and vanilla.

The history of Tempranillo wine can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of the Iberian Peninsula, where wine-making was a well-established tradition. The Romans were the first to cultivate the Tempranillo grape, and it was likely brought to the region by their army as they expanded their empire. The wine produced from this grape was highly prized by the Roman elites and was used in religious ceremonies and banquets.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, wine-making continued in the Iberian Peninsula, but it was not until the 11th century that the Tempranillo grape was specifically mentioned in historical records. During the medieval period, the Catholic Church became a major player in the wine industry, and monasteries in the region began producing wine for religious purposes and for export.

In the 19th century, the phylloxera epidemic swept through Europe, destroying many of the vineyards in the Iberian Peninsula. However, the Tempranillo grape was one of the few varieties that was able to survive the epidemic, and it was replanted in large quantities. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the wine industry in the region experienced a resurgence, and Tempranillo wine became increasingly popular both in Spain and abroad.

The modern history of Tempranillo wine began in the mid-20th century, when advances in winemaking techniques and an increased focus on quality allowed winemakers to produce wines that were more expressive of the grape’s character. In the 1970s and 1980s, the wine industry in Rioja underwent a transformation, with many winemakers focusing on producing high-quality Tempranillo wines. The result was a wave of excellent Tempranillo wines that were well-received both domestically and internationally.

Today, Tempranillo is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in Spain and is widely considered to be the country’s signature grape. The best Tempranillo wines are produced in the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions, where the warm, dry climate and the rolling hillsides provide ideal conditions for growing the grape. The wines produced in these regions are known for their balance of fruit and tannins, with flavors of dark fruit, tobacco, and vanilla.

In conclusion, Tempranillo is a red wine grape that has a long and rich history in the Iberian Peninsula. It is one of the few varieties that was able to survive the phylloxera epidemic and has since become one of Spain’s signature grapes. Today, the best Tempranillo wines are produced in the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions, where the warm, dry climate and rolling hillsides provide ideal growing conditions for the grape.