On the Wine Side with Dominique - International Tempranillo Day Tue, Nov 07, 23 It's a fine time for Spanish Wine!Tempranillo, in fact. Because Thursday, November 9, is International Tempranillo Day, and what better way to celebrate than by indulging in a bottle - or two or three. !Muy Bien! Here at the store we have a wonderful selection of Spanish Tempranillos. How to choose?One of my favorite ways to learn about wines is to try bottles of the same grape by different producers. International Tempranillo Day is a great excuse to do this.What is Tempranillo? It's a red grape that's most widely associated with Spain, though it's grown in Portugal, where it's known as "Tinta Roriz," and in Argentina. Temprano means "early" in Spanish, and this grape does just that, ripening early and flourishing in a warm climate with calcareous soils.What is the flavor profile of wines made from this grape? According to Wine Spectator, "Tempranillo's profile varies, depending mostly on winemaking techniques, but it does have hallmark characteristics. It makes medium- to full-bodied reds of moderate to high levels of tannins and acidity. It shows a mix of red and dark fruits, including cherry and plum, as well as earth and herbal notes; its acidity can sometimes be citrusy and orange-peel like....oak aging imparts flavors like vanilla and cocoa powder." In addition to being in the middle of the section of Spanish red wines here in the store, many of the Tempranillos are on the Highly Rated rack, with scores of 90 or more points from wine critics from around the world. What's more, several of the Tempranillos we offer are "Sourced & Certified" wines, which are not only great wines at great prices, but you earn an additional 10% off each bottle when you buy 6 or more of them. Muy Bien again! If all of this isn't inspiration enough to have your own Tempranillo tasting, one of the things Wine Spectator noted pairs best with this wine is pot roast!! Yes, the quintessential fall meal that's easy to prepare and is a real crowd pleaser. Have a Tempranillo dinner party: Put together a Spanish-themed charcuterie board with cheeses, crackers and cured meats like chorizo and sobrasado to start, bring out the pot roast for dinner, finish with flan for dessert, and sip and sample Tempranillos with family and friends.It's great fun to compare and contrast what you're tasting. You'll want International Tempranillo to come around again every month! By Dominique De Vito