Bobal is a dark-skinned wine grape variety native to Utiel-Requena in South-East Spain. It is one of Spain’s most planted grape varieties behind Tempranillo and Airen, despite its relative obscurity: Bobal grapes have long been used as a minor blending partner to the region’s more glamorous grape varieties. Now, more producers are turning toward varietalBobal wines, which are dense and chewy with characters of chocolate and dried berries.

Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo refers to the increasingly popular blend of Cabernets Sauvignon or Franc with the darling of Spanish viticulture, Tempranillo. In many ways the red wine blend is Spain’s answer to the Bordeaux blend this is beginning to be reflected in the pricing of the wines. Cabernet Tempranillo is popular in Spain and abroad, with a handful of countries experimenting with their own versions of the blend. Spain remains the undisputed champion of the Cabernet and Tempranillo blend.

Italian Merlots are often characterized by their light bodies and herbal notes. Merlot’s low acidity serves as a balance for the higher acidity in many Italian wine grapes with the grape often being used in blends in the Veneto, Alto Adige and Umbria