Tempranillo is Spain’s most celebrated red grape and the backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. It goes by many names across Spain and Portugal, which can make it hard to spot on a label. It suits anyone who likes savoury, food-friendly reds, and Rioja makes one of Europe’s easiest wine weekends.
What it tastes like
Tempranillo gives red cherry, plum and dried fig, with tobacco, leather and dried herbs. It has medium acidity and medium to firm tannins.
Oak shapes it strongly. Traditional Rioja, aged in American oak, picks up vanilla, coconut and dill. French oak gives spice and toast. With long ageing, Tempranillo turns mellow and savoury, with notes of leather, dried fruit and forest floor.
The name comes from temprano, Spanish for "early", because it ripens weeks before many other Spanish red grapes.
Rioja ageing words
- Joven: young, little or no oak.
- Crianza: aged for a period in barrel and bottle before release.
- Reserva: longer ageing, often more complex.
- Gran Reserva: the longest ageing, made in the best years.
One vine, many names
- Tinto Fino or Tinta del País: Ribera del Duero.
- Tinta de Toro: Toro.
- Ull de Llebre: Catalonia.
- Cencibel: La Mancha and Valdepeñas.
- Tinta Roriz: Portugal’s Douro, where it goes into port.
- Aragonez: Portugal’s Alentejo.
Where it grows in Europe
Rioja, Spain
The most famous Tempranillo region. Rioja is split into three areas: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental. Tempranillo is usually blended with smaller amounts of Garnacha, Graciano or Mazuelo (Carignan).
Ribera del Duero, Spain
On a high plateau along the Duero river in Castilla y León, Ribera makes darker, more powerful reds, often from pure Tempranillo. The climate is harsh, with hot days and cold nights.
Toro and elsewhere in Spain
Toro makes bold, ripe styles. Navarra, Penedès and La Mancha grow plenty.
Portugal
In the Douro Valley, as Tinta Roriz, it’s one of the key grapes in port and in the region’s dry reds.
How to choose a bottle
Rioja and Ribera del Duero labels name the region and the ageing category, rarely the grape. A Crianza is a good everyday starting point. Reserva and Gran Reserva from a traditional producer show the savoury, mellow side of the grape. If you prefer fresher, fruit-led wines, look for a young Joven or a single-vineyard wine from a modern producer.
What to eat with it
- Roast lamb: especially lechazo, the milk-fed lamb of Castilla y León, with Ribera del Duero.
- Patatas a la riojana: potato and chorizo stew from Rioja.
- Jamón ibérico and Manchego: with almost any Tempranillo.
- Grilled chops over vine cuttings: a Rioja tradition.
Tip: Want to see what oak does? Taste a Joven and a Gran Reserva from the same producer side by side.
Where to taste it on a weekend
Go to Rioja. Logroño, the regional capital, makes a lively base. Bilbao airport is about two hours away by road, and Logroño has rail links.
- Day 1: Spend the evening in Logroño’s old town, hopping between tapas bars on Calle Laurel and Calle San Juan.
- Day 2: Drive to Haro, home to historic bodegas around its station district, or to Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa, a walled hilltop village surrounded by vines with views of the Sierra de Cantabria.
Most bodegas need a booking for tours and tastings. Visits are often in Spanish, but many larger wineries run English tours too.
Tip: Spaniards eat late. Book lunch at a winery for around 2pm, and plan dinner for after 9pm.
Read our full guide to La Rioja: the wine and the region. For more Spanish ideas, see the best holiday destinations in Spain and Barcelona. Browse the best wine regions in Europe for more trips.
FAQ
Is Rioja made from Tempranillo?
Mostly. Red Rioja is usually Tempranillo-led, often blended with Garnacha, Graciano or Mazuelo.
What is the difference between Rioja and Ribera del Duero?
Both are based on Tempranillo. Ribera is often darker and more powerful, while Rioja tends to be more elegant and oak-influenced.
What does Crianza mean?
It’s an ageing category. A Crianza has spent time in barrel and bottle before release, less than a Reserva or Gran Reserva.
Is Tempranillo used in port?
Yes. In Portugal’s Douro it’s called Tinta Roriz and is one of the main port grapes.
