Advertisement The grape also has found a home in Argentina, the world’s fifth-largest wine producer, where the influence of Spain extended from the language to the vineyards.
Ambiente hails from the Mendoza region of Argentina, which is home to 80 percent of the country’s wine production. It is made by Fecovita, a federation of 32 cooperatives and wineries in which about 5,000 winemakers are members.
We’ve found Spanish tempranillo to our liking, and this New World version expresses itself well. It opens with plum and black cherry aromas with a whiff of earthiness. Red fruit flavors are evident and the wine finishes with a bit of warmth on the tongue.
Available locally for about $8.
Sherry: “Dry, smoky and leathery black cherry.” 3 stars
Chris: “Cherry and berry fruit layered with wisps of smoke.” 3 stars
Coming next week: White Knight Viognier
