Tempranillo, Spain’s noble grape takes its name from the Spanish 'temprano,' meaning early, as these grapes ripen quicker than other native Spanish grapes. Tempranillo has become synonymous with Spain’s Rioja region but it can also be found all across Spain and further afield.
Tempranillo goes by many other names including Tinto del Toro, Tinta Fina, Tinto del Pais, Tinta Roriz, Cencibel and Aragonez. Young Tempranillo can be surprisingly fresh, fruity, and easy to drink but with oak and age, Tempranillo gives more of the earthy tobacco, and leather flavours.