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Spend a little time exploring Spanish wine and you'll soon come across the name Tempranillo.
It's Spain's most celebrated red grape, the variety behind many of the country's finest wines and the heart and soul of Rioja.
But if you're new to Spanish wine, it's perfectly reasonable to wonder what all the fuss is about.
Does Tempranillo produce big, powerful reds?
Is it smooth and easy to drink?
Is it similar to Malbec, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon?
Or is it something completely different?
This guide is here to answer those questions.
Rather than overwhelming you with technical wine terminology, we'll simply explain what Tempranillo tastes like, why it's become so closely associated with Rioja and whether it's a grape that's likely to suit your own taste.
If we had to describe Tempranillo in just a few words, we'd probably choose balanced, elegant and wonderfully versatile.
Depending on where it's grown and how it's made, Tempranillo can offer flavours of cherry, plum, blackberry and red berries, often accompanied by gentle notes of vanilla, cedar, tobacco and sweet spice when matured in oak.
Unlike some grape varieties that are known for one dominant characteristic, Tempranillo is admired for its balance.
It has enough fruit to feel generous, enough freshness to keep the wine lively and enough structure to pair beautifully with food without becoming overpowering.
Although Tempranillo is grown in several countries, there is one region that has become almost inseparable from the grape.
That region is Rioja.
For generations, Rioja's winemakers have shown just how expressive Tempranillo can be, producing wines that combine ripe fruit, freshness, gentle oak and remarkable balance.
It's this partnership between grape and region that has made Rioja one of the world's great wine names.
In many ways, Tempranillo provides the character, while Rioja provides the setting that allows it to shine.
That's why so many people's first memorable experience of Tempranillo comes from a bottle of Rioja.
Not at all.
Like many great grape varieties, Tempranillo reflects the place where it's grown.
Climate, soils, altitude and the choices made by the winemaker all influence the finished wine, allowing the same grape to express itself in different ways.
Rioja is perhaps the best-known example, producing wines that are admired for their balance and elegance.
Travel further west into Ribera del Duero and Tempranillo often becomes darker, more concentrated and more powerful.
Cross into Portugal, where the grape is known as Tinta Roriz or Aragonês, and you'll find it contributing both to outstanding table wines and, in some regions, the famous fortified wines of the Douro.
Smaller plantings can also be found in countries such as Argentina, Australia, the United States and Mexico, each bringing its own interpretation of the grape.
The remarkable thing is that, wherever it's grown, Tempranillo rarely loses the balance and food-friendly character that have made it so widely admired.
One of the easiest ways to decide whether Tempranillo might suit your taste is to compare it with wines you already enjoy.
You'll probably appreciate Tempranillo's generous fruit and smooth texture, although Rioja often feels a little more elegant and restrained than many Argentine Malbecs.
Tempranillo offers the same approachable character but often adds another layer of savoury complexity and gentle spice.
If you enjoy Cabernet's structure but sometimes find it a little firm in its youth, Tempranillo can offer a softer, more immediately approachable alternative without sacrificing depth.
While Tempranillo is usually fuller-bodied than Pinot Noir, both grapes share an emphasis on balance and food-friendliness rather than sheer power.
If you've reached this point and you're thinking, "Tempranillo sounds like the sort of red wine I'd enjoy," we'd suggest starting with Rioja.
There are many excellent examples of Tempranillo grown around the world, but Rioja remains the region that has done more than any other to demonstrate just how versatile and enjoyable this remarkable grape can be.
From approachable everyday bottles through to beautifully mature wines for special occasions, Rioja offers an excellent introduction to everything that makes Tempranillo so widely admired.
If Tempranillo sounds like a grape variety you'd enjoy, we'd love to help you discover it.
Our Rioja collection includes wines to suit relaxed midweek dinners, Sunday lunches and special celebrations, allowing you to explore the many different expressions of Tempranillo with confidence.
Whether you're looking for vibrant fruit, gentle oak or beautifully mature complexity, you'll find a Rioja to match both your taste and your budget.
Browse our complete Rioja collection.
One of the pleasures of discovering a grape variety is following the questions it naturally creates.
If Tempranillo has captured your interest, these guides may help you continue your journey.
If you've decided Tempranillo isn't quite the style you're looking for, that's perfectly fine.
Every grape variety has its own personality, and every wine drinker has their own preferences.
You may simply be looking for something richer, lighter, softer or more aromatic on this particular occasion.
Choosing the right wine isn't about finding the world's "best" grape. It's about finding the bottle that you'll most enjoy sharing with the people around your table.
Our buying guides are designed to help you do exactly that, whichever direction your curiosity takes you.
Wine should be enjoyable, not intimidating.
If you're wondering where to begin, or you'd simply like a recommendation based on the wines you already enjoy, we'd be delighted to help.
Whether you visit us in the shop, browse our website or get in touch for a recommendation, our aim is always the same: to help you discover wines you'll genuinely enjoy opening, sharing and remembering.
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