Drinks - Red Alert!

It’s relatively new as a homegrown varietal, but there’s lots to love about Australian tempranillo, writes Toni Paterson.

- Toni Paterson

The rise of ‘alternative’ grape varieties has garnered a lot of excitement in the Australian wine industry. Tempranillo, a dark-skinned red grape from Spain, is of particular interest. Plantings have increased and it has made significant inroads into the Australian wine market, both as a standalone variety and as a component of blends.

Defining the character of Australian tempranillo is tricky as its varietal expression changes dramatically depending on where it is grown, its yield and who has made it.