3.19 Tempranillo

Question 1

Tempranillo is which country’s most important black grape?

Answer 1

Spain

Question 2

Describe the profile of T.

Answer 2

Medium acid
Medium tannin
Medium-full bodied
Red fruit (strawberry, cherry)
Black fruit (blackberry, plum)

Range of styles from simple fruity and inexpensive to ripe, complex and age-worthy

Question 3

Is Spanish Tempranillo blended or single varietal?

Answer 3

Both.

Blending can increase acidity and tannins.

Blending is common among wines meant for long term aging.

Question 4

Is Spanish Tempranillo oak-aged?

Answer 4

Sometimes

Oak imparts secondary flavors (vanilla, smoke, cedar) and softens tannins.

It’s common to age the best wines in bottle before release for sale.

Tertiary flavors of mushroom, leather and dried fruit

Question 5

What is the traditional vessel for aging Tempranillo or Tempranillo-based wines?

Answer 5

Small American Oak barrels (usually, though French was also sometimes used). Today, top producers are shifting to at least some French oak.

Question 6

Name the DO for high volume Spanish Tempranillo/Tempranillo blends.

Answer 6

Catalunya DO

Question 7

Name the 2 most important appellations in Spain for quality Tempranillo.

Answer 7

1. Rioja DOCa
2. Ribera del Duero DO

Question 8

What is the climate of Rioja DOCa?

Answer 8

Moderate

Question 9

In Rioja DOCa, what’s Tempranillo’s common blending partner?

Answer 9

Garnacha

Question 10

What do the terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva refer to on a bottle of Rioja?

Answer 10

The period of aging before release for sale.

The terms are listed from shortest to longest

Question 11

Describe a Joven red wine from Spain.

Answer 11

• Young
• Fresh
• Fruity
  Joven almost never sees new oak and will be even more simple than Crianza.

Question 12

Describe a Reserva red wine from Spain.

Answer 12

• Dry
• Softened tannins
• Developing secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors (caramel, earth, mushrooms
  and dried or cooked fruit)

Question 13

Describe the climate of Ribera del Duero DO.

Answer 13

Warm days and cool nights (due to altitude)

Question 14

Describe the style of Ribera del Duero DO wines.

Answer 14

Very full bodied
Fresh black fruit

Question 15

For Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, what quality grapes are used?

Answer 15

Top tier only, as lesser fruit would produce unpleasant, stale wines with the required aging.