|
Tempranillo is the staple grape of Rioja -- in the words of The Oxford Companion to Wine, "the Cabernet Sauvignon of Spain." To create greatness, Tempranillo is nearly always blended, usually with Garnacha (aka Grenache) and/or Carignan. Tempranillo is fast ripening, rather tannic and, unlike Cabernet Sauvignon, not that aromatic. It is rarely sold as a stand-alone varietal.
|