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- Food & Beverage
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- BeverageDrinkingSpanish
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- Spain
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- 2nd Thursday of November
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Tempranillo Day invites wine lovers to raise a glass to Spain’s signature grape every second Thursday of November. This vibrant red grape, whose name means ‘early,’ is renowned for its versatile flavor profile and food-friendly character. Explore its origins, learn about its distinctive taste, and find the perfect bottle to celebrate this special day.
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Expected Tempranillo Day Deals
As Tempranillo Day approaches, expect many wine retailers and restaurants to offer special promotions on Tempranillo wines. Look for discounts at major liquor stores like Total Wine & More and BevMo!, as well as online retailers such as Wine.com. Fine dining establishments and tapas bars may feature special tasting menus or discounted glasses of Tempranillo. Keep an eye on local wine shops, which often host themed events or offer curated selections. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November 12 approaches.
Platform Guide for Tempranillo Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #TempranilloDay. Share photos of your favorite Tempranillo bottle, a delicious food pairing, or a cozy wine-tasting setup.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #TempranilloDay. Create short videos reviewing different Tempranillo wines, demonstrating food pairings, or sharing fun facts about the grape.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #TempranilloDay. Share articles about Tempranillo, post polls asking about favorite wine regions, or organize a virtual tasting with friends.
Tempranillo Day Hero
The Tempranillo Grape
History of Tempranillo Day
When the Tempranillo Advocates Producers and Amigos Society (TAPAS)inaugurated Tempranillo Day 11 years ago, they chose a Thursday to allow restaurants and wine shops to observe the day without being distracted by the hustle and bustle of their busy weekends. Since then, every year, Tempranillo aficionados in America and abroad uncork their favorite varieties, inviting others to share their deliciously full-mouthed textures and complex, fruity tastes.
The Tempranillo grape is native to the Iberian Peninsula and is the flagship variety cultivated in the wine-growing regions of Spain and Portugal. International varieties from vineyards in the U.S, France, Chile, and Argentina have had tremendous success in recent years, making the Tempranillo grape the fourth most widely planted, with Spain spearheading almost 90% of production worldwide.
Those interested in trying Tempranillo wine for the first time will notice that the type of oak barrel in which it is aged has a significant impact, with French barrels offering a more complex experience and American ones catering to more cardinal tastes.
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or merely a wine aficionado, the bright and fruity red full-bodied wines will have your palate craving more of its heady romance, perfectly balanced in a natural blend of taste and character. One of the most compelling reasons to keep a case of Tempranillo on hand is the ease with which it pairs with a wide range of dishes and recipes across the culinary spectrum. Hosts are happy to know that the meal will not be without wine.
Tempranillo Day timeline
The Phoenician civilization thrives on the cultivation of wine and honors it as an offering to Levantine deities.
A proliferation of Tempranillo grape plantations in Australia and South Africa leads to a worldwide renaissance of the wine.
The Tempranillo Advocates Producers and Amigos Society (TAPAS) institutes Tempranillo Day.
Tempranillo grape plantation covers approximately 575,000 acres, almost all of it in Europe.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Tempranillo Day
Local restaurants and wine bars can host special Tempranillo tasting flights or offer discounted bottles. Retailers can create themed displays featuring Tempranillo wines alongside Spanish cheeses, cured meats, and tapas ingredients. Wineries can host virtual or in-person educational sessions about the grape’s history and characteristics. Cooking schools might offer classes on Spanish cuisine, emphasizing dishes that pair perfectly with Tempranillo, encouraging patrons to explore its culinary versatility.
Tempranillo Day FAQs
When is Tempranillo Day?
Tempranillo Day 2026 is celebrated on Thursday, November 12. This annual observance falls on the second Thursday of November, making it a perfect mid-week opportunity to enjoy a glass of this Spanish favorite.
What does 'Tempranillo' mean?
The name ‘Tempranillo’ is Spanish for ‘early,’ derived from ‘temprano.’ This refers to the grape’s characteristic of ripening earlier than most other red grape varietals, a trait that makes it particularly well-suited to various climates.
Where does Tempranillo wine come from?
Tempranillo is indigenous to Spain, with its primary home in the Rioja region, where it is the dominant grape. It is also a key varietal in Ribera del Duero and is grown in other wine-producing countries like Portugal (where it’s known as Tinta Roriz or Aragonez), Argentina, and the United States.
What foods pair best with Tempranillo?
Tempranillo’s versatile flavor profile makes it an excellent pairing for a wide range of dishes. It famously complements Spanish cuisine like paella, chorizo, and tapas, but also pairs well with roasted meats, lamb, and aged cheeses.
Tempranillo Day Activities
Share a bottle of Tempranillo
Invite your friends over for a glass of your favorite Tempranillo. Lighten the mood by playing Lana Del Rey or Adele softly lilting through the speakers. The secret to enjoying wine is in relishing the inherent exuberance and rejuvenating effect of the spirit.
Host a wine tasting
Wine tastings are fun! Ask each guest to bring a bottle of wine. Uncork, decant, and serve in batches of two. Offer bread washed down with water as a palate cleanser between tastings.
Visit a vineyard
Why not board a plane to the Rioja region of north-central Spain and enjoy the fruit of the vine as it was meant to be drunk, with local food and music? F.Y.I.: In the E.U, Spain has the second-highest consumption of alcohol, behind only Portugal.
5 Facts About Tempranillo Wine
It’s older than Jesus
An ancient Bacchus mural discovered in Spain in 1100 B.C. depicts Tempranillo wine.
Guess who’s blue blood…
The Tempranillo is widely regarded as Spain’s “noble” grape.
The envy of the vineyard
Tempranillo vines have deep-lobed leaves that turn bright red in fall, a particularly beautiful sight to behold.
Ask for Gran Reserva
This most exceptional vintage of Spanish Tempranillo wine is aged for a minimum of five years.
The grape with many names
The Tempranillo grape is known as Tinto Fino in Ribera del Duero, Tinta de Toro in Toro, Ull de Llebre in Catalonia, Cencibel in La Mancha, and Tinto Roriz in Portugal.
Why We Love Tempranillo Day
Drinking before six
Throw the rulebook out the window and enjoy the taste of a savory Tempranillo with a choice of your favorite canapés all day! It’s 5 o’clock somewhere after all!
It’s good for you!
Research suggests that drinking a glass of red wine in the evening before dinner helps protect against heart disease. We’re all about health here and what better way is there to take care of your heart?
It’s an intoxicating aphrodisiac
Nothing spells romance or speaks the language of love easier than sharing a bottle of wine with someone you like. So, pop open a cork and let the sparks fly!
Tempranillo Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | November 13 | Thursday |
| 2026 | November 12 | Thursday |
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