White Tempranillo, or Tempranillo Blanco, is white Spanish grape wine.
This grape is a mutation of the red variety, that has been planted in Rioja, Spain since 1988, and was an accidental discovery. Don’t let the term mutation startle you though, this is a naturally occurring phenomenon in many types of plants.
Many types of grapes share a similar pattern and create delicious wines, like Pinot Blanc deriving from Pinot Noir.
How Does White Tempranillo Taste?
Being a white wine, white Tempranillo is a considerably lighter variation than that of its red counterpart; in both taste and color.
White Tempranillo is commonly viewed as having a tangy touch to the mouth. This is because the wine is often fruity and citrus in flavor. At harvest, these grapes are generally very high in malic acid concentrations and aromatic phenolic compounds.
Both of these factors heavily contribute to both a tropical and floral taste to this wine. Similar to other whites, this particular wine is considered to be dry, but not overwhelmingly so.
It’s considered to be a medium intensity wine, and often offers a very yellowish color in a glass. Being a relatively new wine to market, winemakers are still learning about aging tastes in comparison to a freshly made or year-old bottle.
Similarly, winemakers are also still learning about how different soil and climates will affect the overall taste of this unique grape.
Best White Temprnillo Examples
Bodegas Faustino VII Bianco 2019 – This fantastic wine is made at the source of the famous grapes, in Rioja Spain – so, you know it’s good! Filled with both white-fruit aromas and a citrusy palate, this wine has a nice body to it. The bright citrus flavors lend way to a mild and fresh finish.
Bodegas Tobía 2016 Óscar Tobía Blanco Reserva White (Rioja) – Another gem coming from Rioja, this particular wine is an excellent choice for any barrel-aged wine lover. This is another white blend, consisting of White Tempranillo, Viura, and Maturana. The unique combination allows for the full nose effect that’s classic for a White Tempranillo. This wine is infused with delicious spiced apple and pear and carries a delightful spice and wood aroma.
Pago del Vicario Blanco de Tempranillo – This phenomenal wine is another barrel-aged classic out of Rioja. This wine heavily features cider aromas that are nice on the palate. It’s a full-body white that features heavy notes of salted apple and wood spice.
Bodega Juan Carlos Sancha Ad Libitum Tempranillo Blanco – This wine is considerably elegant and that’s much to do with its lower alcohol content and high acidity. It lends a beautiful baked apple and butter flavor, even having a similar note to popcorn at the finish. Because of its flavor profile, this wine is considered to be rich and full to the palate.
What Food Pairs Best with White Tempranillo
As its roots are firmly planted in Spain, white Tempranillo is a gorgeous wine to pair with any classic Spanish food. Many folks adore a glass next to an evening of tapas or appetizers, as the lighter wine is perfect for grazing over some time.
Another excellent Spanish dish for pairing this wine with is paella. Paella is traditionally filled with rice, saffron, various vegetables, chicken, and fresh seafood – all of which balance perfectly with a nice bottle of white Tempranillo.
With that being said, White Tempranillo is a lovely option for pairing with any seafood. It’s especially ideal when paired next to shellfish, crab legs, and fattier fish like salmon. This is much to do with the citrus notes that many variations of this wine can offer. Heavier notes of lemon and lime make for a refreshing sip alongside a flavorful seafood dish. Many folks find that White Tempranillo pairs well with any variation of spice, making it an option despite the level of heat your meal may have.
Because White Tempranillo is a younger variety of wine, many are still experimenting with pairing barrel-aged varieties, versus a newer bottle. Some find that the younger White Tempranillos pair better with lighter meals like a salad, while older varieties taste better with a heavier meal. Aside from this, both are also commonly paired with grilled meats, strong cheeses, almonds, and stronger-tasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts and asparagus.
Is White Tempranillo Sweet or Dry?
White Tempranillo is a variety of wine that is typically classified as being dry. This is due to the lesser amount of sugar within the wine, as well as its relation to its much darker and drier counterpart.
White Tempranillo wine can also become drier to the palate, the longer that it is barrel-aged. However, as previously mentioned, the floral and citrus notes of this wine allow for it to take on a more sweet and refreshing note.
How is White Tempranillo Made?
As previously mentioned, white Tempranillo wine comes from a mutated version of the usual red Tempranillo grape.
The winemaking takes on a similar process as usual wine; by fermenting the juice of the pulverized grapes. During this fermentation, which often takes a significant portion of time, the yeast in the mixture converts the majority of the natural sugars from the grapes into ethanol (alcohol), and carbon dioxide.
The next step in the process is where white Tempranillo can differ from other varieties of wine. This particular wine is aged in oak barrels. Considering that Tempranillo grapes can age well, bottles of this wine will also vary in their specific age; with some being as young as 12 months, and others being aged for decades.
Because of this, the Spanish developed a system to help consumers to understand just how aged their particular wine is.
A wine of this variety that has been aged for two years or more is known as a Gran Reserva. A bottle that’s anywhere between 1-2 years of age is known as a Reserva. All younger bottles are referred to as Crianza, which have aged, but for less than a year. Lastly, a bottle that hasn’t been aged at all will be simply referred to as a Rioja.
Summary
That’s everything a wine enthusiast needs to know about white Tempranillo. You can feel confident in your ability to pick out a bottle for your next meal or party.
Don’t shy away from trying a bottle of this Spanish gold. Its uncommon flavor and aroma are sure to win you over.
Let us know what you think of this unique wine variety in the comments section or by contacting us on Facebook.