The Wine Reference🍷 SupportTempranillo grape
Tempranillo is a red grape known for cherry, leather, vanilla. Its best-known homes are Rioja, Ribera del Duero.
Origin and history
Spain's leading red grape; the name comes from 'temprano' (early), because it ripens early.
Where it grows
Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Toro, La Mancha and Navarra in Spain; the Douro and Alentejo in Portugal; and Argentina.
Structure
Medium to full body, medium tannin and medium acidity, with a smooth, savoury texture.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: strawberry, red cherry and plum. With oak and age: vanilla and coconut (American oak), leather, tobacco and dried fig.
Ageing
Rioja is labelled by ageing: Crianza (at least 2 years), Reserva (3) and Gran Reserva (5), and the best keep for decades.
Also known as
Tinto Fino or Tinta del País (Ribera del Duero), Tinta de Toro, Tinta Roriz or Aragonez (Portugal), Cencibel (La Mancha).
Good to know
One of the main grapes in Port, under its Portuguese name Tinta Roriz.
Wine regions for Tempranillo
Tempranillo wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva
Rioja · Rioja Alta · Tempranillo, Garnacha / Grenache
Classic oak-aged Rioja: strawberry, vanilla, leather and spice.
Food: Roast lamb, chorizo
CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva
Rioja · Rioja Alta · Tempranillo, Graciano
Long-aged and silky: dried cherry, tobacco and sweet spice.
Food: Suckling lamb, mushrooms
Vega Sicilia Único
Ribera del Duero · Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon
Spain's most famous red: dark fruit, cedar, spice and many years of ageing.
Food: Roast lamb, game
Esporão Reserva Tinto
Alentejo · Tempranillo, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon
Warm and ripe: blackberry, plum, vanilla and spice with smooth tannins.
Food: Pork and clams, roast meats, stews
Campo Viejo Reserva
Rioja · Tempranillo, Graciano, Carignan
Classic, affordable Rioja: red cherry, vanilla and sweet spice from oak.
Food: Lamb chops, chorizo, tapas
Arzuaga Organic Tempranillo Rosado
Ribera del Duero · Tempranillo
Fresh Ribera rosé with strawberry, raspberry and crisp acidity.
Food: Tapas, paella
La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva
Classic American-oak Rioja: cherry, vanilla and dill.
Food: Lamb, chorizo
Marqués de Murrieta Reserva
Rioja · Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo
Rich, polished Rioja Reserva.
Food: Lamb, steak
Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial
Rioja · Tempranillo, Mazuelo
Murrieta's flagship: long-aged, layered and refined.
Food: Roast lamb, game
Finca Villacreces Pruno
Ribera del Duero · Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon
Ripe, modern Ribera: great value.
Food: Lamb, burgers
Arzuaga Crianza
Ribera del Duero · Tempranillo
Structured Ribera Crianza: dark fruit and oak.
Food: Lamb, steak
Bodega Numanthia Numanthia
Dense old-vine Tinta de Toro, black fruit, cocoa and spice with firm, ripe tannins.
Food: Roast lamb, beef stew, aged Manchego
Félix Solís Viña Albali Reserva
Soft, approachable aged Tempranillo with red fruit, vanilla and gentle spice.
Food: Lamb chops, tapas, pasta with meat sauce
Bodega Pintia Pintia
Powerful Tinta de Toro of blackberry, liquorice and toasty oak, polished tannins taming the region's muscle.
Food: Roast suckling lamb
Bodegas Chivite Las Fincas Rosado
Navarra · Tempranillo, Garnacha
Pale, Provence-style rosé of wild strawberry, peach and herbs, dry and refreshing with a gentle texture.
Food: Prawns a la plancha
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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