Tempranillo

1. Overview

Tempranillo is a black grape and the main variety behind many of Spain’s famous red wines.
It is the key grape in Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Toro, and appears across Portugal as Tinta Roriz or Aragonez.
Its name comes from temprano (“early”), because it ripens sooner than many other black grapes.

2. What It Tastes Like

Tempranillo often shows flavours of:

• Red and black cherry
• Plum
• Spice
• With age: leather, tobacco, vanilla, dried fruit

Oak is common, especially in Rioja, where it adds notes of vanilla and sweet spice.

3. Where It’s Grown in Spain

Rioja

• Cooler areas give fresher red fruit and elegant tannins.
• Warmer areas give riper fruit and softer structure.

Ribera del Duero

• Higher altitude and big day–night temperature swings.
• Wines are darker, fuller, and more powerful.

Toro

• Local biotype (“Tinta de Toro”).
• Very ripe, dense, high-tannin, often high-alcohol reds.

La Mancha / Valdepeñas

• Known as Cencibel.
• Styles range from fruity jóvenes to serious Reservas.

Portugal

• Known as Tinta Roriz or Aragonez.
• Important in Douro red wines and Port blends.

4. How It’s Grown

Tempranillo buds and ripens early, so:

• It can be at risk from spring frost.
• It needs careful picking in warm areas to keep acidity.
• It grows well on clay-limestone soils and at higher altitudes.

5. Winemaking Styles

• Joven: little oak, fruity, easy-drinking.
• Crianza: 2 years’ ageing, at least 1 in oak.
• Reserva: deeper flavour, more oak complexity.
• Gran Reserva: long ageing; leather, spice, dried fruit flavours.

6. Summary

Tempranillo can be light and fruity or deep and ageworthy, depending on where it’s grown and how it’s aged.
It forms the backbone of Spain’s greatest red wines.
Its mix of ripe fruit, smooth tannin, and oak-friendly structure makes it one of the most versatile black grapes in the world.