2008 Gemtree Vineyards Luna Roja Tempranillo (Screwcap)

Gemtree Vineyards is in McClaren Vale. It was founded in 1980 by Paul and Jill Buttery who bought vineyards in the heart of the McClaren Vale wine region. In 1998 the family, now working with their adult children, launched the wine label. Today the estate has 330 acres of Shiraz, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot and Vedelho. Gemtree makes wines under several sub labels, which are Gemtree, Tatty RD, Gemstone and Tadpole. James Halliday, Australia’s best known wine writer, has awarded the estate his highest honor of a 5-star rating every year since 2009.

South Australia is the nation’s most important wine region. South Australia is to Australia what California is to the U.S. About half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia and many of the country’s most acclaimed producers are there. Wineries based in South Australia include Penfolds Grange, Torbreck, Amon Ra, Henschke and Jacob’s Creek. The prestigious Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, and is often compared to Napa Valley because it is gorgeous topography covered in grape vines. First farmed by 19th century German-speakers who immigrated from what is now Poland, the Barossa Valley is the crown jewel of the region. South Australia has widely varying climates, from very hot, dry areas to cooler, high altitude areas. There are more than 150,000 acres of vineyards in South Australia, with more being planted each month. Shiraz is king, though the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Semillon.

Think leather and cherries together for Tempranillo wines. This wine looks lighter than it is. It can be medium or full bodied, but its thin-skinned, big grapes, give it a more transparent appearance. It is grown in Spain, Portugal, the U.S. and Australia.