To the rendezvous & with friends: Tempranillo
I am always amazed that the Tempranillo vine in Germany is still not really known. You are wondering if you have already met her? I am sure: with the Spanish red wines!
It is believed that the grapevine has its origin in the Rioja. From there, the Tempranillo spread to Portugal in the 18th century. The name comes from the Spanish word "temprano" - which means "early" and indicates its early maturity.
Tempranillo can be described as the most important grape variety for the whole of Spain. In the meantime, I have also found out why she is not so well known: she is different in every Spanish region! Tempranillo is famous in Ribera del Duero as "Tinta del país" or "Tinto fi no", in Penedès as "Ull de Ilebre", in La Mancha as "Cencibel" ... Tempranillo is never mentioned in Spain either expelled, because there the wines are almost always offered as cuvées of several grape varieties.
There have been two camps in Rioja for some years: some grow their wines in a classic way, that is lighter color, long aging in oak barrels and very subtle. Others swear by more modern methods of development, the wines are accordingly darker and more modern. The classic variant is often underestimated these days. Due to its lighter color and the almost mellow and herbaceous nature of the Rioja is relatively mature at a young age, and this seduces to believe that the wine must be drunk quickly. However, my experience is that the wines stay in this phase for a very long time: they have proven to be very durable.
Indisputably, the Tempranillo is perfect for maturing in a wooden barrel. Especially from the Rioja you know the strong toasting flavors, often reminiscent of coconut mats or roasted coffee beans. It is also more common to use American oak barrels that are even more aromatic. That the wood barrel maturation is very important to the Spaniards, the Spanish wine law, which requires that a Crianza must have half a year wooden maturity and a year bottle maturity, a Reserva one year wooden maturity and two years in the bottle and a Gran Reserva two years and three years in the bottle.
Where is he grown?
In almost all regions Spain. The Tempranillo grape in Rioja, Ribera del Duero, La Mancha, Catalonia, Somotano and Costers del Segre occupies a very important position. In Portugal It is also widely used as Tinta Roriz in the Douro Valley and as Aragonez in the Alentejo. Also in Argentina If you have the Tempranillo vine for a long time in cultivation, but rather uses it for the simpler qualities. In Australia The Tempranillo grape is on the rise recently.
What else does he fit in?
at casseroles Minced meat, aubergines and tomatoes make Tempranillo wines perfect. In Spain they like to drink it Lamb, which is traditionally cooked there in special ovens on vine wood. And then of course to all tapas! Hhmmm - I love it with figs baked in bacon, tortilla, potatoes with mojo sauce, pata negra ham ...
Food with friends, first rendezvous: What else is right?
As different as the situation may be, so different may be the wines: However - one good red wine In my experience always provides a great atmosphere and a relaxed situation. Of course, this can also be a German Pinot Noir matured in oak barrels, a Merlot, a wine from Portugal or a South Africa or ...
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