 Needs cool weather for acidity and heat for color and tannin  Adapts to terroir and different soil types  Often planted at high altitude in hot regions

 Most commonly seen in Rioja  Blended with Garnacha and Graciano  Each aged wine is a different experience ▪ Crianza – fruit and vanilla character ▪ Reserva – fragile fruit and more oak ▪ Gran Reserva – most bouquet and oak

 Ribera del Duero makes 100% Tempranillos  Style is called tinto ▪ Less American oak and more French ▪ Has less berry character and more plum ▪ Higher tannins but still retains acidity

 Originally a Bordeaux grape  Found its way to Argentina  Wine is soft and juicy with lower acidity  Original location (Cahors) had high level of tannin and color, though tannins were soft  Argentina is at high altitude  Retains acidity, mulberry and violet character

 Cross developed in South Africa  Between Pinot Noir and Cinsault  Fruity character of mulberry or raspberry  Also toast and cream  Has high volatile acidity  Seems always ready to drink, whether young or old

 Once in Bordeaux but thought to be extinct  Found in Chile – had been mistaken for Merlot  Needs specific growing conditions  Has distinctive savory note, like roasted red bell peppers

 These wines are like Merlot in character  Hint of spice in wine suggests pairs with spiced foods  Carmenere and spiced lentils