| In the Rioja region of Spain Temranillo is known | | | | Argentina and California. In California it is called |
| as the exclusive red wine from the grape of that | | | | Valdepenas and is generally thought of as |
| area. Now across the ocean from Spain this | | | | unsuitable for making fine wine. |
| delicious red wine is now on the verge of | | | | The popularity of the Tempranillo variety has |
| dethroning Sangiovese as the top red varietal | | | | increased in Australia just in the past few years. |
| wine in the land of Oz, not that Oz, Australia! | | | | The renowned Brown Brothers have long been a |
| The win growers in Australia are now harvesting | | | | pioneer of the variety, but now there are over |
| plantings of the Tempranillo from over the last | | | | 50 other producers of the variety in about half of |
| few years and the new grape on the Australian | | | | Australia's sixty wine regions and even though |
| wine scene is becoming more popular than any | | | | McLaren Vale has the highest number of |
| other wine as far as a percentage basis is | | | | producers the Tempranillo variety is widely planted |
| concerned. | | | | throughout the mainland Australian wine regions. |
| So what is it that is so special about this particular | | | | The highest rated Tempranillo wine according to |
| grape? Some of the characteristics that are | | | | James Halliday's Wine Companion 2005 is that |
| making it so popular are that the wines that come | | | | which hails from Manton's Creek Vineyard in the |
| from it have a great color and delicate fruit flavor | | | | Mornington Peninsula. Casella Wines, the makers of |
| as well as being very low in acid and tannins which | | | | the hugely successful [yellowtail] range are also |
| make for an effortless drinking style. | | | | actively involved in the variety. |
| The Temranillo variety also has a short growing | | | | The fate of Tempranillo as far as Australia is |
| season in the vineyard which makes it suitable | | | | concerned lies with the winemakers and the |
| even for cooler areas which expands upon the | | | | growers many of which are just beginning to |
| regions of the country in which it can be grown. | | | | experiment and learn how to use the variety. |
| The Temranillo variety is the main wine in the | | | | Some enthusiastic fans of Tempranillo claim that it |
| Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions of Spain where | | | | will be the premium red wine in Austraila while |
| it is sometimes blended with Graciano or even | | | | some of the traditionalists stick by the Italian |
| sauvignon. | | | | Sangiovese. One thing is certain, only time will tell |
| In Portugal Temranillo is utilized as a minor part in | | | | but in the meantime I will continue to enjoy the |
| port, and in some red table wines. In other areas | | | | competition. |
| of the world the major vineyards are found in | | | | |