
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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Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Arienzo Crianza 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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RH Phillips Viaje Tempranillo 1999Tempranillo from California
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Bodegas Vega Sicilia Unico Tinto 1999Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Bodegas Uvaguilera Aguilera Palomero 1999Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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CVNE Crianza 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Berberana Dragon Tempranillo 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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RH Phillips EXP Tempranillo 1999Tempranillo from California
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CVNE Vina Real Crianza 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
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El Coto Crianza Rioja 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- W&S
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Enate Crianza (Cabernet/Tempranillo) 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Navarro Lopez Grand Reserva 1999Tempranillo from Spain
- WE
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Artadi Pagos Viejos 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
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Clos du Bois Alexander Valley Tempranillo 1999Tempranillo from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Condesa de Leganza Crianza 1999Tempranillo from Spain
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Bodegas Valdemar Conde de Valdemar Crianza 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Torres Coronas Tempranillo 1999Tempranillo from Spain
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Faustino V Reserva 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Riscal Tempranillo 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Arienzo Reserva 1999Tempranillo from Spain
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Berberana Vina Alarde Rioja Tempranillo 1999Tempranillo from Spain
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Bodegas Campillo Reserva Rioja 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE
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Bodegas Urbina Seleccion 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- D
- WS
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Berberana Vina Alarde Rioja Reserva 1999Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE