British Columbia’s Tempranillo – Good Wine Gal’s BC Picks
On November 14th, it’s time to raise a glass and celebrate International Tempranillo Day. This famous grape from Spain grows here in beautiful British Columbia with an attitude. It’s found a home in sun-soaked southern Okanagan Valley where wineries like Moon Curser, Black Hills, Three Sisters and Stag’s Hollow showcase bottles of fleshy, fragrant and age-worthy wines styled from youthful to classic as only BC can. If you have not yet tasted a BC Tempranillo, here are a few recommendations. Grab a bottle and pour a glass on November 14th. Join in the celebration by posting your pictures on social media using hashtags: #TempranilloDay; #InternationalTempranilloDay
Tempranillo in BC vs Spain
Spain rules. With over five hundred thousand acres planted, Spain has an immense and diverse range of microclimates and vineyards, particularly in regions like Rioja, where Tempranillo expresses tradition from lighter, fruitier styles to oak-aged, more mature wines. Comparatively, BC has a tiny modern footprint with just 600 acres, but plantings are increasing.
- The origin of Tempranillo is most likely Rioja, spreading to the rest of the Iberian peninsula, including the Douro River Valley in Portugal, where it is known as Tinta Roriz, one of the vital blending grapes in Port Wine. Its world-class status continues to rise not only with classic Rioja and producers like Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal (World’s Best Vineyard) but also Pingus from Ribera del Duero with its audacious use of French oak for aging. The aging process in regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero is crucial in stylistic wines that develop complex flavours, smooth texture and age-ability.
- Tempranillo is often blended with other varieties like Garnacha and Mazuelo, although some of the most famous styles are more than 95% Tempranillo. In BC this grape is 13th on the list of popular red grape varieties but is gaining traction with vineyard plantings. It is produced as a single variety or blended with grapes like Syrah and Merlot. These late budding and early ripening characteristics seem suited to the 40C summer temperatures, the broad diurnal shift and the shorter growing season found in Oliver and Osoyoos.
- Spanish tempranillo comes in various styles, from young, fruity wines to aged, complex masterpieces. The aging process, classically in American oak barrels, can impart vanilla, spice, and leather flavours. With BC a relatively new wine region for the grape, producers experiment with oak and stainless steel, giving a distinctive new world in style: fruit-forward, with notes of red berry, cherry, plum, and more alcohol than classics from Spain. Oak plays a role but is used judiciously.
- While Tempranillo dominates in Spain, it is still a young, developing grape and style with a bright future. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, here are some recommendations of BC wineries making a BC style of Tempranillo.
BC Recommendations
Moon Curser Vineyards, Osoyoos, BC – 2022 Tempranillo
Winemaker: Chris Tolley & Christian Scagnetti
$37.99 at the winery 14.2 % abv (710 cases)
100% tempranillo
Planted on the East Bench 2005
12 months in 21% New American Oak + Neutral barrels
Unfined & Filtered
Vegan
Winery Tasting Notes: Ripe red berries with hints of cinnamon spice and leather, fresh acidity, medium soft tannins, and a complex and intense finish.
Moon Curser Vineyards
Black Hills Winery, Oliver, BC 2021 Tempranillo
Winemaker: Ross Wise
100% Tempranillo
$60 wine club exclusive 13.5% abv 258 cases
18 months in French Oak – 36% new
Winery tasting notes: Strawberry to spiced black cherry, licorice, herbs, violets, earthy with full body, fresh acidity and medium silky tannins.
Black Hills Winery
Stag’s Hollow Vineyards & Winery, Okanagan Falls, BC 2021 Tempranillo
Winemaker: Keira Lafranc
$35 at the winery 13.7% abv (280 cases)
95.5% Tempranillo + 4.5% Syrah
Fermented & aged 20 months in 51% French & American Oak
Unfined & Unfiltered
Vegan
Winery Tasting Notes: Black and red fruit, Leather, Earth, Coffee, licorice, and spices finish with fresh fruit acidity and length.
Stags Hollow
