Tempranillo: grape, taste and well-known wine regions

By Roel Timmermans Published on

Blauwe wijndruiven in een wijngaard, AI-gegenereerd sfeerbeeld bij Tempranillo.

Short answer

Tempranillo is een blauwe druif die vooral bekend is uit Spaanse rode wijnen, met Rioja en Ribera del Duero als belangrijke wijngebieden. In Ribera del Duero heet dezelfde druif ook Tinta del País of Tinto Fino; in Portugal zijn Aragonez en Tinta Roriz gangbare namen. De uiteindelijke smaak hangt af van herkomst en wijnbereiding, dus er bestaat niet één smaakprofiel voor alle Tempranillo-wijnen.

Key facts

Facts about Tempranillo
Topic Details
TypeBlauwe wijndruif.
Aanplant in Spanje195.076 hectare op 31 juli 2024; toen het meest aangeplante druivenras voor wijn in Spanje.
Belangrijke Spaanse wijngebiedenOnder meer Rioja en Ribera del Duero.
Andere namen in SpanjeTinta del País en Tinto Fino in Ribera del Duero.
Andere namen in PortugalAragonez en Tinta Roriz; Tinta Roriz wordt vooral gebruikt in Dão en Douro.
Mogelijke wijnstijlenRode wijnen die jong en fruitig kunnen zijn, of extra structuur en kruidige tonen krijgen door vinificatie en rijping. Geen vast smaakprofiel voor alle herkomsten.
Rijpe Tempranillo-druiventros met kenmerkende blauwzwarte bessen.
Rijpe Tempranillo-druiventros met kenmerkende blauwzwarte bessen.
Indicatieve kleur van Tempranillo in het glas; herkomst, oogstjaar en wijnbereiding kunnen de tint veranderen.
Indicatieve kleur van Tempranillo in het glas; herkomst, oogstjaar en wijnbereiding kunnen de tint veranderen.

What is Tempranillo?

Tempranillo is a black wine grape and the backbone of many Spanish red wines. In Rioja, the variety accounts for the majority of plantings. In Ribera del Duero, it is likewise the most important grape for red wine.[1][2]

Where does the grape grow?

You will mostly encounter the name Tempranillo with Spanish wine. According to Spanish agricultural figures, a total of 195,076 hectares of Tempranillo were planted as of July 31, 2024: more than any other wine grape variety in Spain. That figure covers all of Spain, not just Rioja or Ribera del Duero.[3]

The same grape is also grown in Portugal, but you will find different names on the label there.[4]

What other names does Tempranillo have?

In Ribera del Duero, winemakers speak of Tinta del País or Tinto Fino. In Portugal, the grapes are called Aragonez and Tinta Roriz; the latter name is used primarily in Dão and Douro. Therefore, a different name does not automatically mean a different grape.[5][6]

What does Tempranillo taste like?

There is no single flavor that applies to every Tempranillo. Rioja describes the variety as having red and dark fruit, sometimes flowers; after longer aging, for example, notes of vanilla or cocoa may emerge. The wine can be young and fruity, but also more aged and robust. These are possibilities, not a guarantee for every bottle.[7]

Ribera del Duero mentions dark fruit and tannin structure among other things for its Tempranillo. Origin, vintage, any blend, and winemaking therefore make a difference in what you actually taste.[8]

How do you choose a Tempranillo wine?

First look at the origin and the description of the specific wine, and then at how the wine was made and aged. Use the grape variety as a starting point, not as a promise of flavor. A young Rioja based on Tempranillo can turn out differently than an aged wine from the same area, let alone a wine from Ribera del Duero or Portugal.[9][10][11]

Tempranillo wines

Sources and review

  1. [1]Druivenrassen van Rioja — Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja
  2. [2]Druivenrassen van Ribera del Duero — Consejo Regulador DO Ribera del Duero
  3. [3]Spaanse wijngaardaanplant op 31 juli 2024 — Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación
  4. [4]Aragonez en Tinta Roriz in Portugal — Wines of Portugal
  5. [5]Druivenrassen van Ribera del Duero — Consejo Regulador DO Ribera del Duero
  6. [6]Aragonez en Tinta Roriz in Portugal — Wines of Portugal
  7. [7]Tempranillo in Rioja — Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja
  8. [8]Druivenrassen van Ribera del Duero — Consejo Regulador DO Ribera del Duero
  9. [9]Tempranillo in Rioja — Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja
  10. [10]Druivenrassen van Ribera del Duero — Consejo Regulador DO Ribera del Duero
  11. [11]Aragonez en Tinta Roriz in Portugal — Wines of Portugal

Image and additional sources

Last reviewed:

Veelgestelde vragen

Is Tinto Fino the same as Tempranillo?

Yes. In Ribera del Duero, Tinto Fino and Tinta del País are local names for Tempranillo.

Is Aragonez the same as Tempranillo?

Yes. In Portugal, Tempranillo is called Aragonez, among other names; Tinta Roriz is another Portuguese name.

Does every Tempranillo taste the same?

No. Origin, winemaking, any potential blend, and aging influence the final taste. Therefore, also look at the description of the specific wine.