
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 Noir310
- Cabernet Sauvignon132
- Rhône Blends112
- Other Red Blends89
- Syrah/Shiraz58
- Zinfandel47
- Gamay36
- Merlot28
- Bordeaux Red Blends27
- Tempranillo26
- Cabernet Franc25
- Sangiovese24
- Malbec21
- Grenache20
- Petite Sirah12
- Barbera11
- Nebbiolo11
- Tuscan Blends9
- Carmenere8
- Nero d'Avola8
- Other Red Wine8
- Mencia6
- Dolcetto5
- Montepulciano4
- Mourvedre4
- Primitivo4
- Nerello Mascalese3
- Bonarda2
- Carignan2
- Petit Verdot2
- Blaufrankisch2
- Bobal2
- Zweigelt2
- Aglianico1
- Cinsault1
- Lambrusco1
- Negroamaro1
- Pinot Meunier1
- Valdiguie1
- Frappato1
- Schiava1
- St. Laurent1
- Xinomavro1
-
Bodegas Valderiz Ribera del Duero 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
-
Bodegas Ordonez – Toro Triton Tinta de Toro 2017Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
- JD
- JS
-
Finca Torremilanos Los Cantos de Torremilanos 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
-
Vetus Flor de Vetus 2017Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
- RP
-
Santa Julia Organica Tempranillo 2017Tempranillo from Mendoza, Argentina
-
Matsu El Viejo 2017Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
-
Aalto 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
-
Flaco Tempranillo 2017Tempranillo from Spain
- JS
-
Dominio de Pingus Psi 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- W&S
-
Curran Tempranillo 2017Tempranillo from Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
-
Vina Sastre Ribera del Duero 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
-
Bodegas Volver Paso A Paso Tinto 2017Tempranillo from La Mancha, Spain
-
Finca Torremilanos Montecastrillo Tinto 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
-
Azul y Garanza Tempranillo (1 Liter) 2017Tempranillo from Navarra, Spain
-
Bodega Rejadorada Tinto Roble 2017Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
-
Bodegas Valderiz Joven Ribera del Duero 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
-
Azul y Garanza Tempranillo 2017Tempranillo from Navarra, Spain
-
Bokisch Vineyards Tempranillo 2017Tempranillo from Lodi, California
-
Matsu El Recio 2017Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
- D
-
Orben Rioja 2017Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- WS
-
Bodegas Valderiz Valdehermoso Roble 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
-
Dominio de Pingus Flor de Pingus 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
- RP
- W&S
-
Finca Torremilanos Cyclo 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
-
Vizcarra Senda del Oro 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
-
Aalto PS 2017Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain