Tempranillo Wine Delights Flyer on Cross-Country Flight

Sol Casal Tempranillo proves to be a nice substitute for Zinfandel on Continental flight

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A wine enthusiast was delighted to find an interesting Spanish Tempranillo wine offered on his Continental flight from Newark to his home. The Sol Casal Tempranillo, bottled in France, proved to be a rich and flavorful accompaniment to his cross-country journey, with notes of red fruit, leather, smoke, and dried cherries.

Why it matters

In-flight wine offerings can be hit or miss, so discovering a quality Spanish varietal like the Sol Casal Tempranillo that holds up well in the air is an unexpected delight for wine-loving passengers.

The details

The author, a self-described wine enthusiast, was initially disappointed when he couldn't get his preferred Zinfandel on the flight, but found the Sol Casal Tempranillo to be a nice substitute. The wine, bottled by French producer Paul Sapin, had a bold nose and rich, complex flavors of red fruit, leather, smoke, and dried cherries, with mellow tannins and 13% ABV.

  • The author enjoyed the wine during his Continental flight from Newark to his home on February 15, 2026.

The players

Sol Casal Tempranillo

A Spanish Tempranillo wine bottled by French producer Paul Sapin as part of his 187 line of single-serving bottles.

Paul Sapin

A French wine producer who bottles the Sol Casal Tempranillo as part of his 187 line of single-serving wine bottles.

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What they’re saying

“It's hoppy and bright - just the way I like 'em - with a strong hint of lemon that is quite refreshing. It goes great with pizza, too.”

— Randy Fuller (nowandzin.com)

“The wine is dark at the core and ruby red at the edges with a big nose - and I mean a huge nose - of red fruit and leather. It tastes of smoke and dried cherries, plums and blackberries. The tannins are quite mellow and the alcohol level is 13% abv. It has a big, rich taste which was much appreciated on the cross-country flight. It even tasted great in the plastic cup.”

— Randy Fuller (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

This story highlights how a quality in-flight wine offering can elevate the travel experience for wine enthusiasts, providing an unexpected delight and respite from the typical airplane fare.