
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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Hermanos Hernaiz El Pedal 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- RP
- JS
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Dominio de Pingus 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- RP
- JS
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Matsu El Recio 2018Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
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Dominio de Eguren Protocolo Tinto 2018Tempranillo from Spain
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Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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Eguren Ugarte Cosecha 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Bodegas Antidoto Ribera del Duero 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
- RP
- W&S
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Campo Viejo Tempranillo 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- WS
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CVNE Seleccion de Fincas Tempranillo 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Bodegas Volver Paso A Paso Tinto 2018Tempranillo from La Mancha, Spain
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Vina Bujanda Tempranillo 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Arzuaga La Planta 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
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Carlos Serres Old Vines Tempranillo 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Bodegas Castillo de Monjardin Clasico Tempranillo 2018Tempranillo from Navarra, Spain
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Matsu El Viejo 2018Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
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Teso la Monja Romanico 2018Tempranillo from Toro, Spain
- JS
- JD
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Convento San Francisco Roble 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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Orben Rioja Malpuesto 2018Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain