California

Tempranillo

Study Guides > Varieties > Tempranillo

Signature Styles & Characteristics

Although any grape can be interpreted in innovative and at times, outlying styles, the below chart/graphic represents the preponderance of what you will find California winemakers producing.

  • Dryness/Residual Sugar

    Still: 100 percent on a scale from to 辛口(スティル) of Dryness/Residual Sugar.

  • Acid (potential)

    Still: 85 percent on a scale from Low to High of Acid (potential).

  • Alcohol (potential)

    Still: 100 percent on a scale from Low to High of Alcohol (potential).

  • Body (weight on palate)

    Still: 100 percent on a scale from Light to Full of Body (weight on palate).

  • Texture

    Still: 100 percent on a scale from Gritty and Astringent to Round and Smooth of Texture.

  • Tannin

    Still: 100 percent on a scale from Low to High of Tannin.

Aromas/Flavors

  • Red Fruit

    Fruit

    Cherry (red, black, or sour, both fresh and dried), strawberry, raspberry, black raspberry, blackberry, red/black plum, red/black currant, cherry tomato, fig (black)
  • Red Floral

    Herbal/Vegetable

    Tomato leaf, sundried tomato, black olive, leafy greens (chard, mustard, etc.), dill, marjoram, mint, oregano, thyme, laurel/bay leaf, patchouli, tobacco leaf, fennel/anise/licorice, tea leaf, pepper/peppercorn, pimento/pimentón
  • Red Floral

    Floral

    Rose, chamomile, dried floral (potpourri), violet
  • Red Earth

    Earth

    Dust, truffle, mushroom, terracotta, mineral, forest floor
  • Red Wood

    Wood

    Cinnamon, vanilla, pepper, cacao, masala/curry, grain, coffee, mocha, nut, clove, dark chocolate, cocoa, caramel, smoke, sandalwood, paprika
  • Red Other

    Other

    Leather, balsamic

Ageability

Ageability

2 to 20 years, pedigree-dependent; the best bottles can live even longer