Hello, Feastlings.
For those of you who aren’t viticulturists, the grape that dominates Spain is Tempranillo, which goes by a host of other names throughout Iberia, but whose Spanish name- a diminutive of temprano, or early, reminds us that the grape ripens weeks before the other smattering of Spanish red grapes. Tempranillo is the fourth most-planted grape in the world, and far and away the most planted grape in Spain- 87% of the world’s supply comes from Spain. But even within Spain, it has loads of iterations.
A grape tastes like a grape, to be sure, and wine like wine, but they also taste like their environs. This can mean a wine taste like the place it grew, or it can taste like its far more immediate environs, like the barrel it’s aged in. This Saturday, we’ll wend our way through four Tempranillos, each from a different producer, and each with a different barrel regimen. They hail from a few spots within the Rioja appellation, but also from Ribera del Duero, and each from a different vintage, so they each bring something different to the glass.
The tasting, as is usually the case, costs $15 plus tax and tip, and, as is usually the case, begins at 2:00. We can save you a seat if you call us at (520) 326-9363, and you’re likely to have a quite enjoyable time with us and your wine tasting buddies.
You can find the pricing and the tasting order of the wines here.
Various shades of Tempranillo
2018 Cune Crianza, Rioja
2019 Viña Sastre Roble, Ribera del Duero
2015 Ontañón Reserva, Rioja
2016 La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva, Rioja