The 2 ha El Pison vineyard was planted in 1945 on a gentle sloping site in the shape of an amphitheatre with deep sub-soils. Made entirely from Tempranillo, El Pison is a very rich and intense age-worthy style typically showing great purity of fruit and abundant chalky tannins that benefit from additional cellaring.

Vinas de Gain is Artadis entry level wine typically showing vibrant black fruit, plush tannins and a smooth supple texture. The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from vines between 25 and 40 years of age that are managed along organic and biodynamic lines. Vinas de Gais is matured in up to 40% new and 60% one and two year old casks for 12-14 months.

As Robert Parker says, “Spain leads the world for sensational wine bargains of character and soul”, none more so than its mature reds. Nowhere else produces mellow, barrel-aged wines of such remarkable quality and price. Take Palacio del Conde – a gorgeously complex, oaky 2015 from Valencia. Part of this region is close to the coast, while the more southerly part is inland, up in the hills, and dry. It’s there that winemaker Marta Martínez selects the finest, hand harvested – from 50 year old vines – Tempranillo grapes for this Gran Reserva, then ages the wine for three years in oak barrels. A wonderfully fragrant, silky red with mature redcurrant and strawberry fruit and a rich, toasty character. Sublime with roast lamb or tapas. Its three recent Gold wins show its drinking beautifully now.

Altos R, a boutique winery in the heart of the best terroir in Rioja, achieve an excellent balance of traditional vineyard methods combined with the latest developments in technology, allowing them to create a great range of unique modern wines. Their Crianza style (aged for at least two years) Tempranillo offers a powerful and complex nose, with notes of fresh fruits, spices, balsamic and toasted oak all perfectly integrated. The palate is structured, round, and balanced, making it an ideal companion to red meats or an assortment of cheeses.

Occupying some of the more elevated land in the Canberra District, Quarry Hill's climate is well-suited to produce one of the great red grapes of the world, tempranillo. Taking a cue from Spanish joven styles of young & fresh tempranillo, Quarry Hill's expression is fresh and bright-fruited, but guided in by the chewy skin tannin characteristic of the grape variety. The versatility of the wine means its not just for tapas or other Spanish foods, it also goes great with any grilled dishes or roast pork.

Mount Majura, from the emerging wine region of the Canberra District, considers Tempranillo as their flagship variety. With a dense core of dry savoury tannin, interwoven with fleshy cherry and blueberry fruit, and embroidered with a host of aromas, from sweet spices and pomegranate, to malt and leather.

It definitely pays not to believe every cliché that you hear, although there is more than a bit of truth to some. This is especially the case with the truism that is 'Spanish lover'. Quite obvious is the love and devotion paid to the vineyards in Ribera del Deuro by José Moro, resulting in this truly exotic and flavoursome red wine. A 100% Tempranillo that was created with expertise and dedication, the result of which is an intense and full-bodied wine that contains flavours of chocolate and raspberry along with a hint of vanillin oak.

The 2014 Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo has aromas of blueberry, black cherry and fennel seed leaping from the glass. It is juicy and plush on the palate with apparent dark berries and mocha tannins. The finish is rustic and savoury. Enjoy with salt and pepper grilled lamb cutlet.

This exciting Spanish black grape shows hints of red spicy berries, liquorice, raspberries and cherry, with good fleshy finish.