
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.
-
Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
- D
- TA
- WS
- WE
-
Bodegas Muriel Gran Reserva 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- TP
- WE
- WS
-
Bodegas Ontanon Gran Reserva 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE
- TA
- WS
-
Cayuse Impulsivo Tempranillo 2010Tempranillo from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
- WE
-
Marques de Riscal Baron de Chirel 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE
- RP
- WS
- JS
-
CVNE Gran Reserva 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
- WE
- RP
-
CVNE Vina Real Gran Reserva 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE
- RP
- WS
- D
-
Hermanos Pecina Finca Iscorta de Pecina Gran Reserva 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- TA
- WW
- JS
- WS
-
Valenciso Reserva 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- WE
- WS
-
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
- TA
- W&S
- WS
-
Abadia Retuerta Pago Negralada Tempranillo 2010Tempranillo from Spain
- WS
- RP
- WE
-
La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 Tinto (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- TA
- RP
- D
- W&S
- WS
- WE
-
Bodegas Beronia Rioja Gran Reserva 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE
- WS
-
La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
- WS
- D
-
Bodegas Lan Culmen Reserva 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
- RP
-
La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 Tinto 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- TA
- RP
- D
- W&S
- WS
- WE
-
La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva Seleccion Especial (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
- TA
- WS
-
CVNE Imperial Reserva Rioja (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
- WE
- RP
-
Bodegas Vega Sicilia Unico Tinto 2010Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
- D
- RP
- WS
- W&S
-
Bodegas Muga Gran Reserva Prado Enea (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
- D
- JD
- WS
- WE
-
CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE
- RP
- WS
- D
-
La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva Seleccion Especial 2010Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- TA
- RP
- WS
- D
-
Bodegas Leda Vinas Viejas 2010Tempranillo from Spain
- WE
- WS