Answer: "Noble Grape"
What else is Tempranillo known as?

Tempranillo (also known as Ull de Llebre Cencibel Tinto Fino and Tinta del Pais in Spain Aragonez or Tinta Roriz in Portugal and several other synonyms elsewhere) is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in its native Spain. Its name is the diminutive of the Spanish temprano ("early") a reference to the fact that it ripens several weeks earlier than most Spanish red grap…

Tempranillo (also known as Ull de Llebre Cencibel Tinto Fino and Tinta del Pais in Spain Aragonez or Tinta Roriz in Portugal and several other synonyms elsewhere) is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in its native Spain. Its name is the diminutive of the Spanish temprano ("early") a reference to the fact that it ripens several weeks earlier than most Spanish red grapes. Tempranillo has been grown on the Iberian Peninsula since the time of Phoenician settlements. It is the main grape used in Rioja and is often referred to as Spain's noble grape. The grape has been planted throughout the globe's wine regions. In 2015 Tempranillo was the fourth most widely planted wine grape variety worldwide with 232 561 hectares (574 670 acres) under vine of which 87% was in Spain where it is the most planted red grape variety. Unlike more aromatic red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon Sangiovese and Pinot noir Tempranillo has a relatively neutral profile so it is often blended with other varieties such as Grenache and Carignan (known in Rioja as Mazuelo) or aged for extended periods in oak where the wine easily takes on the flavor of the barrel. Varietal examples of Tempranillo usually exhibit flavors of plum and strawberries. Tempranillo is an early ripening variety that tends to thrive in chalky vineyard soils such as those of the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. In Portugal where the grape is known as Tinto Roriz and Aragonez it is blended with others to produce port wine.

For some time Tempranillo was thought to be related to the Pinot noir grape. According to legend Cistercian monks left Pinot noir cuttings at monasteries along their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela . However ampelographic studies have shown no genetic connection between the cultivars.

For some time Tempranillo was thought to be related to the Pinot noir grape. According to legend Cistercian monks left Pinot noir cuttings at monasteries along their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela . However ampelographic studies have shown no genetic connection between the cultivars. Spanish cultivation of Vitis vinifera the common ancestor of almost all vines in existence today began in earnest with Phoenician settlement in the southern provinces. Later according to the Roman writer Columella wines were grown all over Spain; yet there are only scattered references to the name "Tempranillo". Ribera del Duero wine making extends back over 2 000 years as evidenced by the 66-metre mosaic of Bacchus the Roman god of wine that was unearthed in 1972 at Baños de Valdearados . It is possible that this grape was introduced to the Western Hemisphere by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 17th century...

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