UNDERDOG WINE MERCHANTS

Tempra Tantrum Wines

Winemaking Philosophy

Our winemaking philosophy for these modern Spanish red wines is what we call the “Nuevo Vino” approach, where we put an extra special effort to promote the soft, generous fruitiness of the grapes, while retaining just the right amount of structure and complexity unique to the vineyards and soils of the Tierra de Castilla.

Tempra Tantrum Wines

Tempranillo/Merlot

Appellation: Tierra de Castilla, Spain

About an hour's drive from the vibrant modern capital of Madrid lies the warm valley of Tierra de Castilla in the heart of Spain. Located outside the bounds of the denominación de origen (DO) system, Tierra de Castilla offers winemakers the freedom to experiment and craft stylish, modern wines unhindered by the traditional DO regulations. The grapes for Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo/Merlot are grown on the Osborne family's estate in Malpica de Tajo.

Fermentation Techniques

The grapes for these Tempra Tantrum wines are harvested just before dawn, in the coolest part of the day. The grapes are then carefully fermented at cool temperatures to emphasize the wonderful fruity characters and soft tannins of these modern Spanish wines.

Aging Technique

Once fermentation is complete the wine is aged for a short time using a cutting edge technique called micro-oxygenation, which softens the wine and brightens the fruit flavors. Because the wines are made in such a novel soft/gentle style, they require minimum bottle-aging, and are ready to be enjoyed right away.

Rocío’s Comments

“Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo/Merlot is lush and smooth, bringing the rich, round mocha and spicy cherry flavors of Merlot to balance the blackberry and plum flavors of our native Tempranillo. The result is ripe, ultra modern and easy drinking.”

Food Pairings

  • Marinated lamb skewers
  • Grilled brats
  • Paella
  • Tapas like garlicky sautéed mushrooms
Tempranillo/Merlot bottle

Quick Facts

Composition
60% Tempranillo
40% Merlot
Harvest Brix
24.8
pH
3.63
Alcohol
13.5%
Titratable Acidity
.55g/100ml
Harvest Date
September 2008
Release Date
Fall 2009
Suggested Retail Price
$10.00 (750ml)