The Aragonês
Grape
Known as Tempranillo in Spain and Aragonês in Portugal, especially in the Alentejo region, this red grape variety is crucial for producing rich, full-bodied wines. It offers flavors of berries, plums, tobacco, and vanilla, adding depth and complexity to blends.
Aragonês
Grape History
Aragonês, also known as Tempranillo, is a red wine grape variety that is widely grown in Spain and Portugal. It is one of the most important grape varieties in these countries, particularly in regions such as Rioja and Ribera del Duero in Spain, and in the Alentejo and Dao regions in Portugal.
The history of Aragonês dates back centuries, with some experts believing that it has been cultivated in the Iberian Peninsula since Roman times. The name Aragonês likely refers to the Aragon region of Spain, where the grape may have originally come from. It is believed to have spread to Portugal by way of the Spanish border regions.
Aragonês is a versatile grape that can adapt to a variety of climates and soil types. It is known for producing wines with deep color, moderate to high levels of tannins, and flavors of red berries, plums, and herbs. In Spain, Aragonês is often blended with other grape varieties such as Garnacha and Mazuelo to create complex and age-worthy wines. In Portugal, it is commonly used in blends for red wines, adding structure and complexity.
One interesting fact about Aragonês is that it is also known as Tempranillo in Spain, particularly in the Rioja region. The name Tempranillo is derived from the Spanish word "temprano," which means early, as this grape variety ripens early in the season.
In recent years, Aragonês has gained international recognition and popularity. Its presence in wines from regions like Ribera del Duero and Alentejo has contributed to its growing reputation as a high-quality grape variety. As winemakers continue to experiment with different winemaking techniques and vineyard practices, the future looks bright for Aragonês, with the potential for even greater success on the global wine market.
Overall, Aragonês is a grape variety with a rich history, versatile characteristics, and promising future. Its ability to produce wines of exceptional quality in both Spain and Portugal makes it a grape worth watching in the world of wine.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel