Tempranillo
Originally from Rioja, Spain
The backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Leather, tobacco, vanilla from American oak, and red cherry — Tempranillo takes extended oak ageing better than almost any other grape. Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva: the classifications map directly onto flavour complexity.
Taste profile
Where Tempranillo is grown
Food pairings
Deep dive
Tempranillo is Spain's most important red grape and the backbone of its most celebrated wines. Its name comes from temprano, "early" in Spanish, because it ripens about two weeks ahead of most other Spanish varieties.
Many names, one grape: Tempranillo travels under different aliases across the Iberian Peninsula: Tinta Roriz and Aragonês in Portugal (key to Douro reds and Port), Tinto Fino in Ribera del Duero, Ull de Llebre in Catalonia, and Cencibel in La Mancha.
Aromas & flavours: Cherry, dried plum, leather, tobacco, dried herbs, and tomato skin. Oak ageing adds vanilla and spice. Tempranillo is more savoury and earthy than most fruit-forward New World reds.
Structure: Medium tannin, medium acidity, medium to full body. Naturally moderate acidity means it benefits from blending, in Rioja typically with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo.
Key regions: Rioja (where Tempranillo dominates red blends), Ribera del Duero (near-monovarietal, more structured and powerful), La Mancha (high volume), Toro, and Portugal's Douro Valley.
Rioja ageing categories: Joven (no minimum oak), Crianza (min. 1 year oak + 1 year bottle), Reserva (min. 1 year oak + 2 years bottle), Gran Reserva (min. 2 years oak + 3 years bottle).
Similar grapes
Tempranillo FAQ
What is Tempranillo?
Tempranillo is a red wine grape that originated in Rioja, Spain. The backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Leather, tobacco, vanilla from American oak, and red cherry — Tempranillo takes extended oak ageing better than almost any other grape. Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva: the classifications map directly onto flavour complexity.
What are the characteristics of Tempranillo?
On the palate it reads as full-bodied, medium acidity, medium tannin. Structurally: body 4/5, acidity 3/5, tannin 3/5, sweetness 1/5.
Is Tempranillo sweet?
Tempranillo is almost always vinified bone dry, so expect no perceptible sugar in the glass.
What does Tempranillo taste like?
Think of it as a full-bodied red. The backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Leather, tobacco, vanilla from American oak, and red cherry — Tempranillo takes extended oak ageing better than almost any other grape. Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva: the classifications map directly onto flavour complexity.
What food pairs with Tempranillo?
Reach for Tempranillo alongside Roast lamb, Suckling pig, Jamón ibérico, Manchego.
Where is Tempranillo grown?
You will find its finest expressions in Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Toro, Priorat, La Mancha.
What grapes are similar to Tempranillo?
If you enjoy Tempranillo, try Sangiovese, Grenache. Similar food-friendly profile but higher acidity and less of an oak character.
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