In case it’s not yet marked in your calendar, the second Thursday of November has been designated International Tempranillo Day. Yes, the months are running out of dates for wine day recognition. But the occasion did get me thinking.
Tempranillo is the red grape most associated with Spanish wines. And Spanish reds tend to trend robust and gutsy. In other words, they’re great pairings for fall and winter.
So why not take a quick tour around a few wine regions of Spain? Anciano N/V No. 3 Rioja, Spain ($11.99 on sale until Nov.
23, #415623) In honour of the day, let’s start with Tempranillo and Rioja. While it’s true that Tempranillo is grown throughout Spain, La Rioja is the grape’s historical heartland. There’s a diversity of bottles from Rioja, from Joven to Gran Reserva, with prices ranging from quite reasonable to budget busting.
Steering to the former is Anciano’s No. 3 Rioja. Featuring classic Tempranillo traits like black cherry, dusty earth, and tobacco, this medium-bodied Rioja is certainly easy to get into.
It’s dry and a bit brooding before some freshness kicks in on a balanced finish. And currently at $12, it’s a great bargain. Bottom line: B, Pair with pork roast or ratatouille.
Plano Alto 2019 Garnacha & Cariñena, Spain ($17.99, #350317) More or less down the road from La Rioja, near the city of Zaragoza, you’ll find the Cariñena wine appellation. Interestingly, it’s both the name of a place and a grape.
That said, Cariñena — the grap.
