Tempranillo

Tempranillo (also known as Ull de Llebre, Cencibel, and Tinta del Pais in Spain, Aragonez or Tinta Roriz in Portugal, and several other synonyms elsewhere) is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in its native Spain. Its name is the diminutive of the Spanish temprano ("early"), a reference to the fact that it ripens several weeks earlier than most Spanish red grapes. Tempranillo has been grown on the Iberian Peninsula since the time of Phoenician settlements. It is the main grape used in Rioja, and is often referred to as Spain's noble grape. The grape has been planted throughout the globe in places such as Mexico, New Zealand, California, Washington State, South Africa, Texas, Australia, Argentina, Portugal, Uruguay, Turkey, Canada, and Arizona.

Unlike more aromatic red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot noir, Tempranillo has a relatively neutral profile so it is often blended with other varieties, such as Grenache and Carignan (known in Rioja as Mazuelo), or aged for extended periods in oak where the wine easily takes on the flavor of the barrel. Varietal examples of Tempranillo usually exhibit flavors of plum and strawberries.

Tempranillo (album)

Tempranillo is an album by British jazz saxophonist Evan Parker and Spanish pianist Agustí Fernández, which was recorded in 1995 and released on the Spanish Nova Era label. They had never played together before.

Reception

In his review for AllMusic, Thom Jurek says that the record "is one of those magical dates where everything that happens does so for a reason, and the result clarifies the process without much effort."

The Penguin Guide to Jazz says about the pianist that "At moments, he sounds as if be might be playing scores pieces by Xenakis or Stockhausen; at others, some passionate folk theme seems about to announce itself. Parker goes about his music with the same intensity as ever, listening, responding, interpolating new ideas."

Track listing

Personnel