Wine Style
Tempranillo
Red Wine
Tempranillo is Spain's noble red — medium body, moderate tannin, and red cherry with leather and vanilla from oak. Rioja and Ribera del Duero span youthful joven to long-aged gran reserva styles. A versatile partner for lamb, tapas, and anything off the grill.
Pronunciation: tem-prah-nee-yoh
Wine structure
Typical descriptors
Typical grapes
- tempranillo
Typical regions
Food pairings
Primary
Secondary
- Chorizo and tapas
Foods to avoid
- Very delicate raw seafood
- Aggressive chili heat without fat
Substitutions
If you cannot find Tempranillo, try:
Serving
- Temperature: 58–62°F (14–17°C)
- Glassware: Standard red wine glass
- Decanting: 30–60 minutes for reserva and gran reserva
- Cellaring / aging: Crianza 2–5 years; Gran Reserva 15–25+ years
Beginner guide
Rioja Crianza is an excellent entry — cherry, gentle oak, and easy with food.
FAQ
- What does Reserva mean on Rioja?
- Minimum oak and bottle aging requirements — typically more developed, smoother styles.