
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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Bodegas Valdemar Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva 2007Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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CVNE Crianza 2017Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
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Bodegas Antidoto Ribera del Duero 2018Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
- RP
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CVNE Gran Reserva 2013Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- JS
- RP
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- WS
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Bodegas Vega Sicilia Unico Tinto 2010Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- JS
- D
- V
- RP
- WS
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Conde de Hervias Torre del Conde de Hervias 2011Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Marques de Murrieta Dalmau Tinto Reserva 2014Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- D
- TA
- RP
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R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva (375ML half-bottle) 2008Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
- JS
- RP
- D
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Emilio Moro Malleolus de Sanchomartin 2015Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- V
- RP
- WS
- W&S
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R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2008Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
- TA
- JS
- RP
- D
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Emilio Moro Malleolus de Valderramiro 2015Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
- WS
- V
- RP
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Perez Pascuas Ribera del Duero El Pedrosal 2015Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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