Tempranillo
Tempranillo reigns supreme in Spain. It produces full-bodied and ageworthy wines throughout the country, most notably in Rioja. The grape originates in northern Spain’s Rioja and Navarra region, dating at least to the 1500s. Centuries later, this grape continues to play an important role in the famous wines of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, and is cultivated in the country’s south as well. As of 2015, Tempranillo was the third most planted wine grape in the world, with almost 90% of its plantings in Spain.
Tempranillo appears nearly black in the vineyard. This thick-skinned grape yields richly colored wines that fade to rust-hued with age. Although it expresses the best when grown at high altitude, it is a grape that can tolerate a fair amount of heat. Notoriously susceptible to pest and disease, Tempranillo can be a challenging grape to cultivate. It prefers soils rich in chalk with good drainage and can be easily affected by vacillations in climate and weather. The grape’s tendency to ripen earlier than others led to its name, which is a diminutive of temprano, the Spanish word for early.
The ruby-colored wines are, at their best, full of bright red and blue fruit, like plum, raspberry and tart cherry. Wines made with Tempranillo also take on secondary characteristics. Notes of tobacco, herbs and leather are also common. This grape has the potential to age for a long time and it is often blended with other grapes like Garnacha (Grenache).
Tempranillo in Spain
The regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro in Northern Spain are most associated with Tempranillo. The grape accounts for 88% of red grapes in Rioja. While varietal wines can be produced, it is often blended with small amounts of Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Wines from Rioja can be light and easy, lush and deep or elegant and ageworthy.
Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero and Toro are more powerful and concentrated in nature when compared to most Rioja. Locally known as Tinto Fino or Tinta de Toro, these wines are made entirely from Tempranillo and can be dark in hue and tannic in nature.
Global Production
In addition to Spain, Tempranillo has had success in Portugal, in the Douro region, where it is referred to as Tinta Roriz. It is also referred to as Aragonês and has spread throughout the Dão, Tejo and Lisboa regions.
The grape has been grown in California’s Central Valley for some time now, having arrived there with the name Valdepeñas. In California, the grape was somewhat ill-suited to the climate, and the majority was often used in blends before an uptick in more serious expressions starting in the 1980s.
The hot, arid climates of Texas’ High Plains and Hill Country regions have been compared, to parts of Spain. As a result, the grape has found success in the state and is now considered one of its most important. Tempranillo has been grown in Washington’s Yakima Valley since 1993, and has had moderate success there. It is also grown in Oregon, Australia, Argentina, Chile and Mexico.
Synonyms: Albillo Negro, Aldepenas, Aragon, Aragones, Aragonez, Aragonez 51, Aragonez da Ferra, Aragonez de Elvas, Arganda, Arinto Tinto, Cencibel, Cencibera, Chinchillana, Chinchillano, Chinchilyano, Cupani, De Por Aca, Escobera, Garnacho Fono, Grenache de Logrono, Jacibera, Jacibiera, Jacivera, Negra de Mesa, Negretto, Ojo de Liebre, Olho de Lebre, Pinuela, Sensibel, Tempranilla, Tempranillo de la Rioja, Tempranillo de Perralta, Tempranillo de Rioja, Tempranillo de Rioza, Tempranillo Rioja, Tinta Aragones, Tinta Corriente, Tinta de Madrid, Tinta de Santiago, Tinta de Toro, Tinta do Inacio, Tinta do Pais, Tinta Fina, Tinta Madrid, Tinta Monteira, Tinta Monteiro, Tinta Roris, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Santiago, Tinto Aragon, Tinto Aragones, Tinto Aragonez, Tinto de la Ribera, Tinto de Madrid, Tinto de Rioja, Tinto de Toro, Tinto del Pais, Tinto del Toro, Tinto Fino, Tinto Fino de Madrid, Tinto Madrid, Tinto Pais, Tinto Ribiera, Tinto Riojano, Ull de Liebre, Ull de Llebre, Valdepenas, Valdepeñas, Verdiell, Vid de Aranda
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Olivia Brion 2019 Les Vagabondes Shake Ridge Ranch Tempranillo (Amador County)
Sierra FoothillsThis wine shows depth and complexity from first whiff through to the ...See Full Review$40 -
Optio 2020 La Mar Vineyard Tempranillo (Paso Robles Geneseo District)
Central CoastFrom a newer estate producer, this bottling shows plenty of age-worthy trains. ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$55 -
Cantadora 2019 The Protector Shake Ridge Ranch Tempranillo (Amador County)
Sierra FoothillsThis beautiful expression of Tempranillo offers notes of red and black plum, ...See Full Review$50 -
Starfield 2020 Tempranillo (El Dorado)
Sierra FoothillsA mouthful of plush tannins and elevated alcohol is well-met by voluptuous ...See Full Review$42 -
Schultz 2018 Rock Glory Oaks Vineyard Tempranillo (Applegate Valley)
Southern OregonEach swirl of the glass produces sweet cherry sorbet, bittersweet dark chocolate, ...See Full Review$32 -
Manzanos 2018 Finca Manzanos Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainDeep-red-violet in the glass, this wine offers aromas of dark plum and ...See Full Review$29 -
Marqués de Riscal 2016 150 Aniversario Gran Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainDark-garnet to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of black currant, ...See Full Review$60 -
Emilio Moro 2018 Malleolus De Valderramiro (Ribera del Duero)
Northern SpainThis dark-violet-red-colored wine gives off aromas of raspberry, orange zest and cocoa ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$151 -
Emilio Moro 2018 Malleolus De Sanchomartin (Ribera del Duero)
Northern SpainThis wine has a bouquet of black currant, blackberry and saddle leather. ...Cellar SelectionSee Full ReviewN/A -
Vega Sicilia 2012 Unico (Ribera del Duero)
Northern SpainMilk chocolate, butterscotch and black cherry dominate the nose on this deep-violet-colored ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$620 -
Viñedos de Paganos 2018 La Nieta (Rioja)
Northern SpainThis deeply colored wine features a bouquet of black cherry, white chocolate ...See Full Review$150 -
Pago de Carraovejas 2018 Cuesta de las Liebres (Ribera del Duero)
Northern SpainDeep-ruby to the eye, this wine has aromas of brambly wild berries, ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$275 -
Bodegas Faustino 2004 Gran Faustino I Gran Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainThis deep-garnet-colored wine has aromas of blackberry, black currant and olive tapenade. ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$105 -
Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia 2017 Macán (Rioja)
Northern SpainA joint project between Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild and Vega Sicilia, this ...See Full Review$110 -
Bodegas Olarra 2011 Laztana Gran Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainDark ruby in the glass, this wine has a nose of cherry ...See Full Review$60 -
R. Lopez de Heredia 2010 Viña Tondonia Reserva (Rioja)
Northern SpainGarnet to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of blackberry, dark ...See Full Review$55 -
Fernández Rivera 2018 Tinto Pesquera Reserva (Ribera del Duero)
Northern SpainThis deep-ruby-colored wine proffers a bouquet of black cherry, milk chocolate, baking ...See Full Review$60 -
Mauro 2018 VS Tempranillo (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León)
Northern SpainDark-violet-red in the glass, this wine has a nose of fruit of ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$110 -
Señorío de Sotillo 2012 Gran Reserva (Ribera del Duero)
Northern SpainThis dark-ruby wine has a nose of cassis and dark chocolate, with ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Protos 2018 Selección Finca El Grajo Viejo (Ribera del Duero)
Northern SpainThis deep-garnet-colored wine has a nose of black cherry, butterscotch and mocha. ...See Full Review$99
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