
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 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 Secretsfor 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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Bodegas Fernando Remirez de Ganuza Rioja Gran Reserva 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
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CVNE Vina Real Crianza 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Pesquera Ribera del Duero Tinto 2004Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
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Bodegas Roda Rioja Reserva 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- W&S
- WS
- RP
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R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- W&S
- WS
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Mano a Mano La Mancha 2004Tempranillo from Spain
- RP
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Marques de Murrieta Dalmau Tinto Reserva 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WE
- RP
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Dominio de Eguren Protocolo Tinto 2004Tempranillo from Spain
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CVNE Garnaca Tinta Rosado 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Limited Edition Rioja 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Navarro Lopez Old Vine Gran Reserva 2004Tempranillo from Spain
- RP
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Sierra Cantabria Crianza 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
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Bodegas Arrocal Arrocal 2004Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
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Marques de Riscal Tempranillo 2004Tempranillo from Rueda, Spain
- WE
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Bodegas Fernando Remirez de Ganuza Rioja (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
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Benjamin Romeo La Cueva del Contador 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
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Faustino VII Tempranillo 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marco Real Tempranillo 2004Tempranillo from Spain
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Torres Celeste Crianza 2004Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- W&S
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Bodegas Vinedos de Aldeanueva Cortijo III Tinto Rioja 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva (375ML half-bottle) 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
- RP
- D
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Bodegas Muga Reserva (375ML half-bottle) 2004Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Bodegas Vizcarra Ramos Roble 2004Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP