It is one of the Iberian Peninsula’s noblest red grape varietals, appreciated on both sides of the border. Known as Tempranillo in Spain, it is also known in Portugal as Tinta Roriz.

On the Setúbal Peninsula, it occupies approximately 300 hectares and its ripening occurs as a general rule, one week before the grape varietal Castelão.

Characteristics:

• It is an early-maturing grape varietal, vigorous and productive, and easily adaptable to different climates and soils, although it prefers hot and dry climates and sandy or calcareous-clay soils.
• If its robustness is controlled, it produces full-bodied, but elegant and very aromatic wines.
• The varietal’s aromas suggest plum, prune, wild fruits, spices and sometimes liquorice, becoming more complex as it develops.
• Though it is often used in batch wines, it is also used with great success in mono-varietal wines (only one grape varietal), and it is already a brand image for some wineries in the region.