
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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Era Costana Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Torre de Ona by La Rioja Alta Reserva Finca Martelo 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- TA
- WS
- JS
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La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Rioja Gran Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- D
- RP
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Dominio de Atauta Parada de Atauta 2014Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
- RP
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Familia Montana Rioja Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- JS
- WS
- WE
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Vina Bujanda Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
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CVNE Vina Real Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
- RP
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Bodegas Luis Canas Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Carlos Serres Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Hermanos Pecina Senorio Crianza 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- TA
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Benjamin Romeo Predicador Tinto 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
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Benjamin Romeo La Cueva del Contador 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- V
- D
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Bodegas Obalo Rioja Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Murrieta Dalmau Tinto Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- D
- TA
- RP
- W&S
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Bodegas Luis Canas Gran Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Convento San Francisco Ribera del Duero 2014Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
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Vinas del Cenit Cenit VDC 2014Tempranillo from Spain
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Dominio Basconcillos Vina Magna Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
- V
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Arzuaga Gran Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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Torre de Ona by La Rioja Alta Rioja Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
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Bodegas Fernando Remirez de Ganuza Trasnocho Rioja 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Bodegas Fernando Remirez de Ganuza Fincas de Ganuza Rioja Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain