Tempranillo is Spain's most widely planted red wine grape. In Australia, tempranillo is a fresh, fruity, food-friendly style of wine that thrives in moderate to warm climates. Here are five expressions from the North East Victoria Zone, the Grampians, the Eden Valley and McLaren Vale.
2021 Shingleback The Bio Project Tempranillo Blend
Medium, deep purple-red. Vibrant aromas of cherry and red apple skin (tempranillo), violet (touriga nacional), heritage rose and spice (garnacha and graciano) harmonise. A compote of red and dark summer berries is framed by the savoury minerality and crunchy fruit tannins of this layered and complex medium-bodied wine.Tasting room manager David Graham says: This tempranillo has a cabernet sauvignon-like structure and a fruity grenache aroma, but maintains a relatively neutral aromatic profile. The 2021 has an easy drinking style and an ability to match exceptionally well with a wide range of foods.
H. Tell us about your tempranillo.
DG. The McLaren Vale region has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters, dry summers and plenty of sunshine. The proximity to the St Vincent Gulf, coincidentally named after the patron saint of winemakers, benefits fruit quality with warmer spring and autumn conditions and cooler summers. Our reliable region and resources, including our very talented vineyard and winery teams, have resulted in Shingleback wines of excellent quality.
Best enjoyed: Due to its savoury qualities tempranillo will match almost any food. A lighter style pairs with tapas or antipasto. Try the 2021 with pizza, barbecued meats, and spicy Mexican dishes.
RRP $25 | Drink to 2032 | shingleback.com.au
2021 Miners Ridge Tempranillo
Bright magenta in colour. Ripe cherries, red plum and touch of gun smoke on the nose. The generous palate shows soft and juicy fruits, the subtle complex structure is all about the fresh red fruits.Winemaker Adam Richardson says: While tempranillo is historically a Spanish variety, Australian tempranillo produces a unique wine that has rich fruit, medium tannins and vibrant flavours.
H. Tell us about your tempranillo.
AR. The cooler Grampians ripening season allows for bright berry fruit characters. We fermented this tempranillo to be an early release style, which means those bright and dominant fruit characters shine. The 2021 has an approachable structure that is complex and intense.
Best enjoyed: Pair the 2021 with paella, tacos, and other Spanish and Mexican flavours. Chill the tempranillo to 16 degrees to open up the cherry notes.
RRP $28 | Drink to 2030 | minersridge.com.au
2021 Kooyonga Creek Tempranillo
Midnight core with a deep dark red black hue. A classic tempranillo flavour profile where black cherry aromas are followed by licorice, earth, leather and spicy dried herb notes. Dense, sweet and soft with a warm alcohol finish.Winemaker Luis Simian says: Tempranillo is such an adaptable variety. It can be treated with oak, and is very different to cabernet or shiraz with its fine acid backbone.
H. Tell us about your tempranillo.
LS. This is Kooyonga Creek’s first release of tempranillo. Fifty per cent of the ferment was whole berries, with the ageing taking place in stainless steel tanks for six months. The 2021 was produced without any oak contact, with the Joven style in mind. This is a youthful, fruit-driven style that we think is a winner.
Best enjoyed: This is a delightful wine with pepper steak, dark chocolate pudding, or blue cheese.
RRP $21.95 | Drink to 2027 | kooyonga.com.au
2021 Clarnette Grampians Tempranillo
A deep red hue. Lifted jubey, cranberry and pomegranate with meaty complexes. The 2021 is a very approachable, smashable and delicious ready-to-drink wine.Winemaker Leigh Clarnette says: I love the freshness and drinkability tempranillo has as a young wine. The fruit dimensions exist with raspberries, cranberries, pomegranate and crunchy violets, which translate into elegance upon drinking.
H. Tell us about your tempranillo.
LC. This wine experiences a shorter maceration on skins and low oak inputs. Pressing off skins slightly earlier results in a finer palate structure that doesn’t require any new oak. We bottle early to capture clean fruit.
Ripening for our tempranillo happens in late April, which keeps the freshness and keeps the acid balance.
Best enjoyed: My family demands this wine on a Friday night, paired with a charcuterie board.
RRP $29 | Drink to 2024 | clarnettewines.com.au
2021 Millon Wines The Impressionist Tempranillo
Bright purple hues with lifted and punchy aromatics of dark plums and mulberries, complemented by underlying notes of dried herbs and spice. The medium weight palate is layered with red berries and mulberries and finishes with bright fruit acidity and fine silky tannins.Winemaker Angus Wardlaw says: I find tempranillo to be an incredibly approachable style. It has a touch more 'oomph' than pinot noir, yet more elegance than shiraz. Tempranillo is a wine for every occasion, and with or without food it goes down a treat.
H. Tell us about your tempranillo.
AW. Our tempranillo is a lighter style of wine. With lifted, complex and concentrated fruits, this wine is balanced with savoury flavours and a rich, textural mouthfeel. The cooler climate of Eden Valley allows us to capture the fruit's natural acidity and the rich soil from the region helps create this bright, juicy style of tempranillo.
Best enjoyed: This perfectly well-rounded wine can be enjoyed without food. If tapas is passed around, a glass of tempranillo in your hand would be a great match.
RRP $18 | Drink to 2026 | millonwines.com.au
