What Is Tempranillo Wine Similar To? As mentioned above, Tempranillo wine can fall into either the medium- or full-bodied categories. This, paired with the characteristics of red fruits that the wine tends to carry with it, means that it is most similar to Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is a red Italian wine grape variety that derives its name from the Latin sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jupiter". Though it is the grape of most of central Italy from Romagna down to Lazio, Campania and Sicily, outside Italy it is most famous as the only component of Brunello di Mo…
Which is better, Garnacha or Tempranillo?
Which is better Garnacha or Tempranillo? Whether Garnacha or Tempranillo is better, is a question of taste. While Garnacha is much more planted over the world, Tempranillo is mostly associated with Northern Spain.
How to pair Tempranillo wine with food?
What to Look For When Buying Tempranillo
- Vin Joven: Rarely aged in oak, Vin Jovens are released young and meant to be consumed right away. ...
- Crianza: These reds require 2 years of aging, with 6 months in oak. ...
- Reserva: These are reds that are aged 3 years, with 1 year in oak. ...
What to eat with Tempranillo?
There's a lot more to grapes than an obligatory spot on a fruit tray.
- Cool Off with Frozen Grapes. Forget ice cream or Popsicles. ...
- Create an Icy Slushie. Graduate from simple frozen grapes with an icy slushie. ...
- Turn Up the Flavor with Roasted Grapes. If you thought fresh grapes were a treat, wait until you try them roasted. ...
- Get Creative with Your Kabobs. ...
- Give Salsa a Fresh Twist. ...
- Top Your Salad with a Homemade Dressing. ...
What wine is better?
- The legal limit of sulfites is 300 ppm (parts per million). ...
- Sulfites that are added to wine can be made from sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), potassium bisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite or sodium sulfite.
- White wine tends to have higher sulfites because red wine is preserved partially by natural tannins.
Is Tempranillo similar to Merlot?
Merlot and Tempranillo are blended together in various proportions to create a number of different red and rosé wines. Tempranillo's thick skins can sometimes lead to wines with tough tannins. Blending it with Merlot is ideal as the latter can smooth out these rough edges, making a more approachable wine.
Is Tempranillo wine a pinot noir?
Its name is the diminutive of the Spanish temprano ("early"), a reference to the fact that it ripens several weeks earlier than most Spanish red grapes....TempranilloColor of berry skinNoirSpeciesVitis viniferaAlso calledCencibel, Tinta Roriz (more)OriginSpain9 more rows
Is cabernet similar to Tempranillo?
Tempranillo is a red wine grape that's known for being the variety to make the spanish wine, Rioja. It has the structure (read: tannins and acidity) of the cabernet sauvignon grape, and the taste of the grape can really change as it gets older. When a tempranillo grape is young, it has a fresh and fruity flavor.
Is Malbec similar to Tempranillo?
If you like: Malbec Malbec's bold, assertive flavors make it a favorite among red wine drinkers. For an equally powerful red, try tempranillo — but one with a twist. While tempranillo is most closely associated with Spain, New World areas like Argentina and California also produce delicious versions.
What grape is similar to Tempranillo?
If you've never tried Tempranillo before, you may find it has a similar taste profile to both Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Is Tempranillo sweet or dry?
DryTempranillo / Sweetness of resulting wine
Is Sangiovese similar to Tempranillo?
Tempranillo (pronounced temp-rah-nee-yo) It's medium to full-bodied, depending on whether it's oaked or not, and has similar red fruit flavors as Sangiovese. It also has a rusticity to it (think farm, barn, rustic) that gives it that nice cedar, leather, tobacco notes, and perhaps dill or coconut if aged in oak.
Is Tempranillo same as Rioja?
What is Tempranillo wine? Tempranillo is thought to be native to the Rioja region of Spain, and is the region's most typical grape, grown in more than 75% of the vineyards.
What does Tempranillo smell like?
Tempranillo wines are typically quite dark in color. Its aromas and tastes are those of a major red wine: berry, tobacco, leather, vanilla, herb. Blends tend to make wines that are intended to be somewhat more fruity.
Is Pinot Noir similar to Tempranillo?
It is the main grape used in Rioja, and is often referred to as Spain's noble grape. For some time, Tempranillo was thought to be related to the Pinot Noir grape. According to legend, Cistercian monks left Pinot Noir cuttings at monasteries along their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Is Tempranillo a light?
Medium Reds Medium-bodied red wines tend to have an alcohol content of between 12.5 and 13.5 percent and more tannins than a light-bodied red wine but less than a full-bodied red wine. Examples include Merlot, Shiraz, Tempranillo, and Nebbiolo.
What is the closest wine to Malbec?
SyrahSyrah is more similar to Old World Malbec with its notes of olive, black pepper spice, smoke, and even bacon fat in some instances. It is commonly seen as a single variety wine or can be blended with other grape varieties such as Grenache and Mourvedre in Côtes du Rhône blends.
Where is the best place to find Tempranillo wine?
La Mancha and Ribera Del Guadiana: Larger regions in Spain’ s central plateau producing some of the best value Tempranillo wines in all of Spain.
Where does Tempranillo come from?
Tempranillo is one of the top varieties blended into Port wine from Portugal, where it’s called Tinta Roriz.
What is the most popular wine in Spain?
You’re getting into red wine. You’re craving something different. Something savory. Enter Tempranillo, Spain’s #1 wine grape. With the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and meaty nature of Carignan, Tempranillo is an experience to behold. When young, it can be surprisingly fresh and fruity. However, with oak and age, you’ll find more of the dust, tobacco, and leather flavors serious wine fans crave.
What vines are easy to identify?
Tempranillo vines are one of the easiest to identify in the vineyard because of their jagged, deep-lobed leaves.
What region has pepper, red cherry, and subtle cinnamon?
Rioja and Navarra: Regions that deliver pepper, red cherry, and subtle cinnamon notes with ample structure (a.k.a. tannin ).
Is Tempranillo a single varietal?
Portugal also has significant plantings of Tempranillo, notably used as a blending grape in Port. However, full-bodied, single-varietal examples are starting to gain traction in Dão and in the Alentejo, where the grape is commonly labeled as Aragonez.
Is Tempranillo Blanco red or white?
There exists a small, white mutation of Tempranillo called Tempranillo Blanco. Authorized for use in White Rioja, Tempranillo Blanco has a similar growing cycle to red Tempranillo and even faces the same growing challenges. Unlike its red counterpart, Tempranillo Blanco wines are noted for their tropical fruit flavors.
What Is Tempranillo Wine Similar To?
This, paired with the characteristics of red fruits that the wine tends to carry with it, means that it is most similar to Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese.
What Food Does Tempranillo Wine Pair With?
As mentioned above, Tempranillo wine is one that pretty much works well with any flavour. It’s generally not as strong as other wines are, making it much easier to drink along with anything from popcorn to pizza.
What Is Tempranillo?
One of the main reasons that many people might not know anything about Tempranillo wine is due to the fact that it goes by numerous other names, including:
Where Does Tempranillo Come From?
While this grape may not be one that is widely known throughout the world, it is the grape that is most commonly grown in Spain. As a result, the grape has become an integral part of popular wine blends.
Is Tempranillo Spicy?
Tempranillo grapes can be made into different kinds of wine. Some are medium-bodied and fruity, while others are full-bodied and tend to be quite spicy. However, the main flavours that can be expected from Tempranillo are juicy fruits like berries and cherries. Because winemakers prefer to mature Tempranillo in oak, the wine also tends to carry hints of cedar and coconut regardless of whether they’re medium or full-bodied.
How Do You Drink Tempranillo?
This means that it complements a wide range of dishes, including delicious, fresh salads and plant-based meals. This wine is a crowd-pleaser for sure.
Should Tempranillo Be Chilled?
There is a common misconception amongst those in the wine industry across the world that all red wines are best served at room temperature. In fact, this cannot be said for all red wines. Keeping certain wines at room temperature could actually dull their taste.
What is Tempranillo wine?
Brands. Back to Top. Tempranillo (tem-pra-NEE-yo) is a wine grape that is used to make medium to full-bodied red wine, principally in Spain. The deeply colored grapes produce wines that are fruit-forward with hints of citrus and savory notes. Typically oak-aged, the wine is often labeled as "Rioja" in Spain (after the region) ...
What is the difference between Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Tempranillo and cabernet sauvignon are two food-friendly dry red wines that are aged in oak. Cabernet sauvignon originates in the Bordeaux region of France and tends to be richer and bolder, with a full body and high tannins.
What is the flavor of tempranillo grape?
Taste and Flavor Profile. The tempranillo grape can result in red wine with a range of characteristics depending on how it is handled by winemakers. Ranging from medium to full-bodied with medium tannins and medium-low acidity, the dry red wine often carries a heady mix of red and black fruit on the nose and palate like sweet cherry and plum.
How long is tempranillo wine aged?
Rioja wines, of which a vast majority is tempranillo, are classified according to how long they are aged: Crianza: Wines aged for two years with red wines spending one year in barrels.
What are the different types of Rioja wines?
Rioja wines, of which a vast majority is tempranillo, are classified according to how long they are aged: 1 Crianza: Wines aged for two years with red wines spending one year in barrels 2 Reserva: Wines aged for three years with red wines spending one year in barrels 3 Gran Reserva: Wines aged for five years with red wines spending two years in barrels
How many synonyms for tempranillo?
With no less than eight synonyms for this single grape, five in Spanish regions (Tinta de Toro, Tinta del Pais, Tinto Fino, Ull de Llebre, Cencibel) and two (Aragonez and Tinta Roriz) in Portugal, tempranillo can cause some serious consumer confusion.
Where is the most red wine grape grown in Spain?
The grape is also grown in Portugal, Argentina, and sparingly in a few other regions. The almost black grape is early budding and early ripening ( temprano means "early" in Spanish), with a spring and summer growing season and an early fall harvest in the northern hemisphere. Warm days, cool nights, and limestone or clay soils offer ideal growing conditions.
What is the aroma of Sauvignon Blanc?
Sauvignon blanc is often prized for its aromatics, from the tropical fruit notes of a New Zealand sauvignon blanc to the more savory, stone-y, and citrusy aromas of Sancerre. Like chardonnay, many drinkers have a preferred style of sauvignon blanc, but all prize sauvignon blanc’s versatile and refreshing qualities.
What is the difference between sémillon and viognier?
It’s often used as a blending grape, lending body, floral, and spice notes to a wine. Viognier, with its similarly rounded texture and mouthfeel, can also exhibit the same lovely floral aromas, plus hints of white peach and other orchard fruits. If you enjoy fuller-bodied whites, this is one to taste.
What is the best white wine to drink?
Like chardonnay, pinot grigio, with its easy-going nature, is often a go-to white wine for many drinkers. The grape hails from Italy’s Friuli region and usually shows nice mouthwatering acidity and inviting apple and pear flavors. If you’re seeking something that fits that fresh, lively profile of pinot grigio, try grüner veltliner. The varietal, which is native to Austria, has both orchard and citrus fruit flavors with a balanced minerality. Many top producers also make grüners that can age, which offers a different expression of the grape.
What is the best wine to drink with Malbec?
Malbec’s bold, assertive flavors make it a favorite among red wine drinkers. For an equally powerful red, try tempranillo — but one with a twist. While tempranillo is most closely associated with Spain, New World areas like Argentina and California also produce delicious versions.
What is the difference between Nebbiolo and Syrah?
Nebbiolo, the varietal behind Piedmont’s famed Barolo and Barbaresco, exudes a similarly refined sensibility while still expressing the same balance of fruit and savory notes as syrah. This time, the dance is between roses and tar, but lovely red fruits shine throughout.
Where can I find pinot noir?
Burgundy producers such as Domaine Romanée-Conti are considered the gold standard, but great examples of pinot noir can be found all over the West Coast, from Willamette Valley in Oregon to California’s Anderson Valley, Russian River Valley, and Central Coast, just to name a few . If you’re a fan of pinot noir’s light body, red fruit, and spice, give cinsault a try. A large-berried, juicy varietal, cinsault was frequently used as a blending grape, but some winemakers are putting it into the spotlight as a single-varietal bottling. Pro tip: try it slightly chilled.
Where is grüner grape from?
The varietal, which is native to Austria, has both orchard and citrus fruit flavors with a balanced minerality. Many top producers also make grüners that can age, which offers a different expression of the grape. Wine to try: Rudi Pichler, Reid Hochrain Smaragd, Wachau, Austria.
What is the name of the grape that is a deep, dark, fruity wine?
If you’re a lover of the deep, fruity Zinfandels of California, perhaps you would enjoy sampling the Southern Italian grape known as Negroamaro. Literally translating to “black, bitter,” Negroamaro can be very full bodied, with a deep, dark color, notes of opulent fruit, and somewhat subdued acidity, translating to a wine ...
What grape is used in Ribera del Duero?
Ribera del Duero is made from the indigenous Spanish grape Tempranillo, which has many styles around the country, but can have a particularly Cab-like character in certain areas.
What is the most famous grape in the world?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Ribera del Duero (Tempranillo) Perhaps the most famous, and certainly one of the most highly regarded grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is ubiquitous – produced in nearly every corner of the viticultural word. Its full body, bright acidity, high tannins, and ease of cultivation have made it a favorite for wine drinkers ...
What is the best wine to drink in Marche?
Sauvignon Blanc and Verdicchio. The central eastern Italian region of Marche produces some of the most under appreciated white wines in the world, from a grape called Verdicchio. Its bright, crisp, citrusy flavors make it the perfect wine for lovers of Sauvignon Blanc.
What is Chardonnay made of?
Chardonnay is generally full bodied and oak aged, with a rich golden color and flavors of orchard fruit. One of the grapes that shares these characteristics is Marsanne, which is best known from the Rhône Valley of France. Marsanne is commonly available and often blended with other grapes. Oak is used occasionally with Marsanne, but most examples will resemble unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay.
How many grapes are used in wine making?
According to the definitive new book Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, and José Vouillamoz, there are nearly 1,400 grapes being used for making commercial wine around the world. When faced with such an expansive diversity of grape varieties, knowing where to begin can seem difficult. This post will take familiar wines and use them as a comparison to introduce you to some varieties you may not have experienced. Let’s venture off the beaten path and peruse some of the great, lesser known grapes.
What grapes are used in France?
One of the grapes that shares these characteristics is Marsanne, which is best known from the Rhône Valley of France. Marsanne is commonly available and often blended with other grapes. Oak is used occasionally with Marsanne, but most examples will resemble unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay.

Tempranillo vs. Cabernet Sauvignon
Taste and Flavor Profile
- The tempranillo grape can result in red wine with a range of characteristics depending on how it is handled by winemakers. Ranging from medium to full-bodied with medium tannins and medium-low acidity, the dry red wine often carries a heady mix of red and black fruit on the nose and palate like sweet cherry and plum. Savory herbal and earthy notes like tobacco and dill mix with citrus p…
Grapes and Wine Regions
- Much of Spain's red wine glory hinges upon the jammy tempranillo grape. Found primarily in the northern regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero along with the centrally located La Mancha, tempranillo tends to be used for single bottle varieties and red wine blends. The grape is also grown in Portugal, Argentina, and sparingly in a few other regions. The almost black grape is earl…
Food Pairings
- Tempranillo wines are one of the most food-friendly wines around. Consider pairing tempranillo with hometown favorites like tapas, pork, grilled steak, and chorizo. Italian and tomato-based dishes like lasagna and pizza as well as burgers and barbecue meatsmesh well with the red wine thanks to its savory notes. Serve tempranillo at cellar temperature (60 to 68 F) in a red wine glas…
Key Producers, Brands, and Buying Tips
- Tempranillo can often be found in the red wine section of grocery stores, wine shops, and liquor stores. You'll find a greater selection in quality wine shops and online. Look for tempranillo on the label or the words "Rioja" or "Tinta Roriz." If you can't find tempranillo, pick up a bottle of cabernet sauvignon instead. When shopping for tempranillo, these winemakers make consistently good b…