
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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Hidalgo Tradicion H Gran Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE
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Era Costana Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Bodegas Ordonez – Toro Triton Tinta de Toro 2017Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
- JD
- JS
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Teso la Monja Almirez 2017Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
- JD
- WW
- RP
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CVNE Vina Real Crianza 2016Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
- RP
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Bodegas Volver La Mancha Single Vineyard Tempranillo 2017Tempranillo from La Mancha, Spain
- WS
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Bodegas Cepa 21 Ribera del Duero 2016Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
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Torre de Ona by La Rioja Alta Finca San Martin Crianza 2017Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- JS
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Cuerno Ribera del Duero 2015Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
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Convento San Francisco Roble 2016Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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Dominio de Pingus Flor de Pingus 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
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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
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CVNE Vina Real Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
- RP
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Carlos Serres Gran Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TP
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Dominio de Pingus 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
- JS
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Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TP
- TA
- JS
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Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2015Tempranillo from Mendoza, Argentina
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CVNE Seleccion de Fincas Tempranillo 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Emilio Moro Malleolus 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
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Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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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 Alberdi Reserva Tinto 2015Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
- WW
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La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva Tinto (375ML half-bottle) 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- TA
- RP
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Carlos Serres Old Vines Tempranillo 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS