The Auswine Forum

I am compiling some notes on Tempranillo in Australia. I notice that there are over fifty producers in Australia scattered among thirty regions. McLaren Vale with least five producers seems to have the most producers.

James Halliday thinks that Manton's Creek in the Mornington Peninsula has the produced the best so far.

It is grown in every mainland state in Australia, but most plantings are very new. I suppose we need to wait and see if the variety is as versatile as the range of climates it is being trialled in indicates.

Any auswiners have more thoughts on this?

Cheers

In Spanish "tempranillo" means early, which is why the grape was given that name, because it ripens earlier than most red varietals. It is the primary varietal used in Spain's popular Rioja wines, rarely used outside of Rioja except for blending.

Being a early ripener, it isn't suited in a hot S.A.'s climate. Even the maestro Ben Riggs didnt get any praise fr his varietal bottling.

Can't say much about the cooler climate version since it's not common.

We've tried a nice one made by Janice at Stella Bella in Margaret River. Worth chasing out at least if you're interested in the variety.

I know of 5 growers who have it planted in MR - grows like a weed.

Cheers

Mark G

if Temp can't be grown in South Oz as some claim then why
the hell is it grown in Spain?
crikeys, that's known to be a pretty hot climate i hear!

Temp must be a very amenable variety. like pinot [early ripening]
it can slowly ripen [for best results] in more marginal climates.
i guess it is the high altitudes that saves its bacon in Spain[cool nights]

if Guru James believes Mantons Creek[Morn Pen] grows the best
version [so far] then clearly it can cope with cool climates.
one has to factor in viticultural practices, site locale and soil etc.

i've tried the Brown Brothers Temp and its a decent, well made drop,
though a little less timber in its arsenal would be a blessing.
Like all grapes i guess its the fruit quality that makes it distinct.
i find it has nice warm cherry characters that
marries well with other varieties. not unlike malbec[late ripener].

aside from Mag River i reckon parts of Gippsland, Nagambie and Canberra region could produce good Temp. its gonna take time and maybe some heroic failures before we can start crowing like roosters to the spanish though.

hasta la vista vinophiles.