
Tempranillo
Learn about Tempranillo — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
Notoriously food-friendly with soft tannins and a bright acidity, Tempranillo is the star of Spain’s Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions and important throughout most of Spain. Depending on location, it takes on a few synonyms; in Penedès, it is known as Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Furthermore in Portugal, known as Tinta Roriz, it is a key component both in Port wines and the dry red wines of the Douro. The New World regions of California, Washington and Oregon have all had success with Tempranillo, producing a ripe, amicable and fruit-dominant style of red.
Tasting Notes for Tempranillo
Tempranillo is a dry, red wine and produces medium-weight reds with strawberry and black fruit characteristics. Depending on growing conditions and winemaking, it can produce hints of spice, toast, leather, tobacco, herb or vanilla.
Perfect Food Pairings for Tempranillo
Tempranillo’s modest, fine-grained tannins and good acidity make it extremely food friendly. Pair these with a wide variety of Spanish-inspired dishes—especially grilled lamb chops, a rich chorizo and bean stew or paella.
Sommelier Secrets for Tempranillo
The Spanish take their oak aging requirements very seriously, especially in Rioja. There, a naming system is in place to indicate how much time the wine has spent in both barrel and bottle before release. Rioja labeled Joven (a fresh and fruity style) spends a year or less in oak, whereas Gran Reserva (complex and age-worthy) must be matured for a minimum of two years in oak and three years in bottle before release. Requirements on Crianza and Reserva fall in between.
- Pinot Noir620
- Cabernet Sauvignon600
- Other Red Blends291
- Bordeaux Red Blends257
- Sangiovese160
- Tempranillo155
- Rhône Blends149
- Syrah/Shiraz130
- Malbec112
- Merlot106
- Nebbiolo97
- Zinfandel75
- Grenache45
- Tuscan Blends41
- Gamay30
- Cabernet Franc28
- Barbera21
- Carmenere15
- Petite Sirah13
- Montepulciano12
- Other Red Wine12
- Mourvedre11
- Nero d'Avola11
- Aglianico9
- Mencia9
- Carignan6
- Nerello Mascalese6
- Bonarda5
- Cinsault4
- Primitivo4
- Agiorgitiko4
- Negroamaro3
- Pinotage3
- Corvina2
- Dolcetto2
- Lagrein2
- Tannat2
- Gaglioppo2
- Touriga Nacional1
- Valdiguie1
- Freisa1
- Grignolino1
- Pais1
- Sagrantino1
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CVNE Vina Real Crianza 2017Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- WE
- RP
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La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 Tinto 2011Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- WW
- V
- D
- RP
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La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
- D
- WW
- WS
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CVNE Imperial Reserva Rioja 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
- JS
- JD
- RP
- WS
- WE
- D
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Marques de Caceres Rioja Gran Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- TA
- WE
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Contino Rioja Reserva 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- WE
- RP
- TP
- WS
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Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Tinto 2016Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
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Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE
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Bodegas Izadi Rioja Reserva 2016Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
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Era Costana Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza 2017Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Arzuaga La Planta 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
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Bodegas y Vinedos Alion 2016Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
- RP
- V
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Pago de Los Capellanes Crianza 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
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La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Rioja Gran Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- D
- RP
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Bodegas Fernando Remirez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
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Carlos Serres Gran Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TP
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Emilio Moro Malleolus 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
- V
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Dominio de Eguren Protocolo Tinto 2018Tempranillo from Spain
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Artadi Vinas de Gain 2017Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- JS
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Bodegas Montecillo Rioja Reserva 2013Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
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Torre de Ona by La Rioja Alta Reserva Finca Martelo 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- TA
- WS
- JS
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Bodegas Ramirez de la Piscina Reserva 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- TA
- WW
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Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva 2016Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain