It is grown in the same region of Spain that is infamous for its quality, hypnotising wines, and was discovered accidentally in a vineyard just as recently as 1988. It is a white grape variety, which happens to have a red grape as its parent!

Since being a recent addition to the Rioja wine collection, Tempranillo is undergoing several analyses and researches, in addition to experimentation with its winemaking process that could give more insight into its winemaking qualities.

This is also the reason why the grape is being planted in very limited quantities only in Rioja.

The University of Rioja has also been very helpful in encouraging its cultivation as also scrutinising its little details as to how genetics have always played important roles in natural phenomenon.

Tempranillo Blanco is actually the mutated version of the Tempranillo variety, which is actually a red grape variety.

The grape was found in the Rioja region itself, in a vineyard that was dedicated to cultivate Tempranillo red grapes.

The vineyard was owned by a winegrower named Jesus Galilea Esteban, who in is errands on monitoring the vineyard, noticed a single grape cluster that was giving off yellow-green grapes.

Being taken aback by the sight, the winegrower lent the cluster to ampelographers who studied the cluster in the University of Rioja and concluded that one of the Tempranillo clusters had undergone a genetic mutation that caused it to develop altogether a different vine variety.

Later, the University of Rioja and the Agricultural Research and Development Centre (CIDA) worked in tandem to encourage this vine variety to be grown in the Rioja region.

The Rioja Counsejo Regulador included the variety as a permitted grape in the Rioja DOC classification.

By 1993, the university with coordination of University of Rioja successfully planted some 100 grape shoots, after declaring the variety a stable one.

Wines with Tempranillo Blanco grapes

While it's time for our reds to go into barrels, our white and rosé wines are beginning to be blended. To do this our winemakers use different varietals from different tanks, sub regions and plots and blend them together until they achieve the wine that they're looking for. Once they have the perfect balance, they then apply those proportions to a larger scale for the final product. We can't wait to see what Clara and her team come up with!

A photo posted by Campo Viejo Wine (@campoviejo) on Apr 12, 2016 at 9:12am PDT

Characteristics of Tempranillo Blanco

Tempranillo Blanco, in spite of sharing some 97.8% of its genetic structure with its parent grape, Tempranillo, differs markedly from the latter variety, since only a mere 3% of difference makes it more than enough to exhibit different traits.

Tempranillo Blanco’s leaves, bunches and berries differ markedly from its parent grape. It has smaller berries and looser bunches than is parent grape, but has similar life-cycles with the red parent.

Both ripen early and bud fairly late, although their exact budding and ripening period may differ. At harvest, these grapes have a high malic acid content and very aromatic compound like terpenes that contribute to the grape’s rich floral and citrus aromatic notes to the grape.

On the palate, the grape gives off characters of oranges and stone fruits, among a lot of other tastes.

Higher alcohols and a pH of approx. 7, gives it a zesty trait and the ability to age well. This is, however, being experimented and its full character is not yet known.

As a very new variety, winemakers are still learning about Tempranillo Blanco and how it behaves with differing soil types and climates.

Since Rioja is a dry land with the typical Spanish climate, Tempranillo Blanco’s reaction to other climates might also differ from its red parent.

Several winemakers like Juan Carlos Sancha of VinaIjalba actively cultivate this variety. He has some 1.5 hectares of Tempranillo Blanco already planted.

Food pairing

Tempranillo Blanco with its fruity, citrus flavour and its tangy touch to the plate can best be enjoyed with curries and intense foods. A Thai fish curry or a nice green salad dressed with some olive oil, served with a tangy risotto will only complement Tempranillo Blanco.

Author

Are you a Copywriter?

We have a lot of articles without much content, if you can do it better, you are welcome to write a nice article, and get the proper credit for that. Read more information about beeing an author, and Contact us for more information.