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  1. Altos de la Guardia Crianza Rioja 'Unfiltered'
    Dark, velvety, berry-rich Crianza from Altos de la Guardia. Unfined and unfiltered for maximum fruit
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    from £16.99 per bottle
    when you mix 12+
    SAVE £24.00
  2. Altos de la Guardia Selección de Familia Rioja (wooden cases)
    Fruit-filled and spicy, Reserva-quality Rioja, from a highly awarded bodega. Packed in wood
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    £19.99 per bottle
  3. Conde de Cron Edición Especial
    Big news for fans of Spain’s mature, barrel-aged reds, a mellow Tempranillo with 14 years’ age
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    from £12.99 per bottle
    when you mix 12+
    SAVE £24.00
  4. Only 66 left
    Altos R Pigeage Tempranillo Rioja
    Eight Golds and many high scores for the latest Altos Pigeage from this fine high-altitude Rioja est
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    from £23.00 per bottle
    when you mix 12+
    SAVE £36.00
  5. Only 23 left
    Altos R Pigeage Tempranillo Rioja (double magnum)
    Eight Golds and 97 Points for this great estate's Altos Pigeage, here in double magnum
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    from £100.00 per bottle
    when you mix 12+
    SAVE £120.00
  6. Barón de Barbón Oak Aged Rioja (187ml)
    Meet our No.1 bestselling Rioja of all time, brimming with fruit and layered with toasty vanilla oak
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    from £2.99 per bottle
    when you mix 12+
    SAVE £12.00
  7. Altos R Pigeage Tempranillo Rioja
    Three Golds and 95 Points for Altos Pigeage 2020 from Jean-Marc’s superb, high-altitude Rioja estate
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    from £23.00 per bottle
    when you mix 12+
    SAVE £36.00
  8. Viña Bujanda Reserva Rioja
    Complex, elegant Rioja Reserva, aged two years in barrel, from a top family estate
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    from £15.99 per bottle
    when you mix 12+
    SAVE £24.00
  9. Only 39 left
    Artadi Valdeginés
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    £45.00 per bottle
  10. Viña Bujanda Reserva (Magnum)
    Complex, elegant Rioja Reserva, aged two years in barrel, from a top family estate. In magnum
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    from £30.00 per bottle
    when you mix 12+
    SAVE £72.00
  11. Only 70 left
    Macán Rioja
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    from £60.00 per bottle
    when you mix 12+
    SAVE £240.00
  12. Palacio del Conde Gran Selección (187ml)
    Gloriously mellow Gran Selección long aged in oak and bottle, from the sunblessed slopes of Valencia
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    £2.99 per bottle
  13. Artadi Viñas de Gain Organic
    £33.00 per bottle
  14. Artadi Viñas de Gain
    From one of the most famous bodegas of Rioja, this is a rich and racy Tempranillo of great finesse
    CountrySpain
    Tempranillo
    £33.00 per bottle
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Wine FAQs

What is Tempranillo?

Tempranillo (pronounced tem–prah–nee–yoh) is a distinguished black grape variety, flourishing predominantly in the vineyards of Spain and Portugal. It is the backbone of Rioja’s globally acclaimed red wines and can be used to make Port. Wines made with Tempranillo have ripe strawberry and red cherry flavours, and you’ll also often find hints of spice and tobacco if matured in oak barrels.

Where is Tempranillo grown?

Tempranillo’s history is deeply rooted in Spain, and it remains one of the most popular red grape varieties in Spanish vineyards. It is especially important in the Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro wine regions.

Known for its early ripening characteristics – temprano means early in Spanish – Tempranillo is a robust grape that grows well in different climates and soils. It’s best suited to cooler, high-altitude areas with some shelter from harsher weather but can also thrive in hot, dry climates.

Tempranillo has migrated worldwide to other wine-producing countries, including Chile and Argentina, McLaren Vale in South Australia and California’s Inland Valleys.

What is Tempranillo’s style and character?

Tempranillo wines are vibrant ruby red when young, medium-full-bodied with high tannins and a harmonious balance of moderate-to-low acidity and alcohol. In terms of flavours, you can enjoy a medley of red and dark fruits. It’s also well-known for its ability to absorb the flavours from oak barrels beautifully – such as vanilla, cedar, and chocolate – and for acquiring tertiary flavours of leather during bottle ageing, enhancing the wine’s complexity over time.

However, the body and tannin levels of Tempranillo wines can vary significantly based on the region and winemaking practices. For instance, Tempranillo from cooler regions such as Rioja Alta or made in a more traditional style might be medium-bodied with moderate tannins. In contrast, those from warmer areas such as Ribera del Duero or made in a modern style could be fuller-bodied with higher tannins and darker fruit flavours.

Tempranillo makes fantastic single-varietal wines but plays a pivotal role in renowned blends such as Spanish Rioja and Port.

What does Tempranillo taste like?

Tempranillo wines are marked by their complexity and fruit-forward profile, with red fruit flavours such as:

  • Raspberry
  • Strawberry
  • Cherry
  • Stewed fruit

Some will also have a hint of fig. When grown in warm climates and aged in oak barrels or bottles, Tempranillo can develop dark fruit flavours and a medley of secondary notes, including:

  • Blackcurrants
  • Prunes
  • Chocolate
  • Vanilla
  • Spice
  • Cedar
  • Tobacco

How to pick a good Tempranillo

Tempranillo is at the heart of some of the best-balanced red wines in the world, so choosing a high-quality Tempranillo can be a rewarding challenge.

You can’t go wrong with a classic Spanish Rioja or Ribera del Duero blend if you want a smooth, fruity red. Tempranillo wines labelled Reserva or Gran Reserva have been aged longer, leading to more complex and sophisticated flavours.

However, for a more modern, concentrated style with vibrant fruit flavours and denser tannins, you might want to try Tempranillo from regions like Toro or newer wine regions such as Navarra and La Mancha.

Outside of Spain, regions like Australia's McLaren Vale and California's Paso Robles produce noteworthy Tempranillos, displaying ripe fruit flavours, a fuller body, and often a more noticeable oak character.

What food pairs well with Tempranillo?

Tempranillo wines boast incredible versatility, pairing well with many dishes. They are an excellent match for Spanish dishes – think paella, chorizo, Manchego cheese and tapas. Tempranillo also pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted lamb, beef and pork. For vegetarian options, dishes with tomatoes, bell peppers, or herbs like thyme and rosemary work well.

Spicy dishes, from Mexican cuisine to Indian curries, also work surprisingly well with Tempranillo. The wine’s fruitiness balances the heat, while its acidity cuts through richer, cream-based sauces.

Discover more with our beginner's guide to food and wine pairing

How to serve Tempranillo

To unlock Tempranillo’s fruit flavours, decant your bottle an hour before serving. Tempranillo is best served at a room temperature of 18-20°C, though this can vary depending on the style of Tempranillo. Lighter, younger Tempranillo wines might be best served slightly cooler, around 16-18°C.

When serving older, more complex Tempranillos, especially Reserva or Gran Reserva styles, it’s better to decant for up to two hours. This can help to awaken its evolved flavours and aromas fully. Given the aromatic profile of Tempranillo, consider using a glass with a larger bowl to allow the wine to breathe and better concentrate its aromas.

Learn more about the perfect wine serving temperatures

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