The red grape variety originates from Spain. Over 80 synonyms testify to its great age and worldwide distribution in many wine-growing countries. The most important, grouped alphabetically by country, are Malvasia Nera, Malvasia Nera di Lecce (these two names in particular lead to confusion, as these synonyms also apply to some other varieties), Negretto, Santo Stefano (Italy); Valdepeñas (California); Aragón, Aragones, Aragonez, Aragonez da Ferra, Aragonez de Elvas, Arinto Tinto, Olho de Lebre, Roriz, Tinta Aragonez, Tinta Roriz (2. Main name), Tinta Santiago (Portugal);
Albillo Negro, Aldepenas, Arauxa, Arganda, Botón de Gallo, Castellana, Cencibal, Cencibel, Cencibera, Chinchillana, Chinchillano, Chinchilyano, Cupani, De Por Aca, Escobera, Grenache de Logrono, Jacibera, Jacibiera, Jacivera, Negra, Negra de Madrid, Negra de Mesa, Ojo de Liebre, Piñuela, Sensibel, Tempranilla, Tempranillo de la Rioja, Tempranillo de Perralta, Tempranillo de Rioja, Tempranillo de Rioza, Tempranillo Rioja, Tempranillo Tinta, Tempranillo Tinto, Tinta de Nava, Tinta del País, Tinta del Toro, Tinta do Inacio, Tinta do País, Tinta Fina, Tinta Madrid, Tinto Aragónez, Tinto Basto, Tinto de Madrid, Tinto del País, Tinto Fino, Tinto Madrid, Tinto País, Tinto Ribiera, Ull de Llebre, Verdiell, Vid de Aranda (Spain); Jacibiera, Jacivera, Garnacho Foño (South America, especially Argentina and Chile).
Origin
A variety called Maiolus was mentioned by the medieval author Petrus de Crescentiis (1230-1320). This later led to the assumption of a genetic relationship or identity between the Lombard variety Maiolina and Tempranillo. According to another hypothesis, there is a connection between a Pinot vine taken along by Burgundian Cistercian monks on their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (Galicia) and Tempranillo. However, DNA analyses have proven both hypotheses to be obsolete.
The...
