
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.
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La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
- D
- WW
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CVNE Vina Real Crianza 2016Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
- RP
-
R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva 2008Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
- JS
- RP
-
El Coto Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- D
- WE
- WS
- JS
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R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 Tinto 2011Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- WW
- V
- D
- RP
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Marques de Caceres Rioja Gran Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- TA
- WE
-
Era Costana Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
-
Sierra Cantabria Crianza 2016Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- WW
- RP
- WE
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Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TP
- TA
- JS
- WE
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Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza 2017Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Cuerno Ribera del Duero 2015Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
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Bodegas y Vinedos Alion 2016Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
- RP
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CVNE Crianza 2016Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
- WE
- RP
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Marques de Murrieta Dalmau Tinto Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- D
- TA
- RP
- W&S
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Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
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Matsu El Picaro 2019Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
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Emilio Moro Malleolus 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
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Dominio de Eguren Protocolo Tinto 2018Tempranillo from Spain
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Hermanos Hernaiz El Pedal 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- JS
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Carlos Serres Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
- D
- RP
- JD
- WE
- WS
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Bodegas Cepa 21 Ribera del Duero 2016Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
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Emilio Moro Malleolus de Valderramiro 2015Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
- RP
- W&S