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Cinco de Mayo, break out from the standard Sangria, Margarita or Corona….try Tempranillo.

Tempranillo/Rioja is one of the oldest variety of grapes.  Why isn’t is more poplar?  I wanted to taste for myself and I came to find out it’s fantastic!

Tempranillo pairs so well with spicy food, we served it for our tasting event with baked goat cheese topped with roasted tomato pesto, smoked chicken and roasted corn empanadas with spicy adobo dipping sauce and spicy guacamole, grilled shrimp topped cucumbers.   Tempranillo brought out the spicy notes of the food and the food brought out the spicy, berry and earthy notes of the Tempranillo.  Next time you think of getting a margarita, go for the Tempranillo instead, you will be pleasantly surprised!

At our tasting we tried two Rioja from Spain which were 100% Tempranillo grape and Tempranillo from Oregon, sometime Rioja can be mixed with other variety’s however usually predominantly Tempranillo. Oregon and Washington state have some wonderful Tempranillo being produced, please be sure to give a try for yourself.

Cheers, Denise



Finca Nueva, Rioja Crianza 2010
Casado Morales, Rioja, 2011
Domain Trouvere, Umpqua Valley Oregon, Tempranillo 2013


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