Tempranillo

Tempranillo – Spain's soul in a glass

If you're looking for a wine that embodies Spain in all its passion, there's no way around Tempranillo . This grape variety is considered the country's most important and popular red wine grape – and rightly so. With around 200,000 hectares under cultivation in Spain alone, Tempranillo is not only dominant in terms of quantity, but also the heart of Spanish wine culture in terms of quality. At Vinoscout, you'll find over 111 Tempranillo wines, from accessible Crianzas starting at €7.85 to impressive Reservas and Gran Reservas for connoisseurs.

What's the story behind the name?

"Tempranillo" literally means "little early one" —a reference to the grape's small berries, which ripen earlier than many other varieties. This short growing season makes Tempranillo particularly adaptable and ideal for wine-growing regions with cooler nights and a continental climate. In Portugal, the variety is known as Tinta Roriz or Aragonez and is valued there as an important component in Port wines from the Douro Valley. Smaller plantings also exist in France and Switzerland.

The most important growing regions

Two regions represent Tempranillo like no others:

• Rioja (DOCa): The most famous wine region in northern Spain. Here, Tempranillo is traditionally blended with Garnacha and Mazuelo. The wines often age for extended periods in oak barrels, developing their characteristic elegance with notes of vanilla and spice. Wineries such as Marqués de Riscal, Ramón Bilbao, Baron de Ley, Bodegas LAN, and El Coto de Rioja are among the region's most renowned names – and all are represented in our selection.
• Ribera del Duero (DO): The younger, but no less exciting, sister region on the Castilian plateau. Here, Tempranillo grapes, known locally as Tinto Fino, ripen into powerful, tannic wines with great aging potential. The harsh climate, with hot days and cool nights, ensures intense fruit and fresh acidity.

Flavor profile: Dark, elegant, spirited

A good Tempranillo will surprise you with its complexity. In the glass, it displays a deep, ruby-red color and a fruit-forward bouquet of red and dark fruits – cherry, blackberry, currant – complemented by subtle notes of leather, tobacco, and vanilla if the wine has been aged in oak barrels. On the palate, it is intensely fruity, yet pleasantly smooth with mild tannins and moderate acidity . The alcohol content is usually in the mid-range. It is precisely this combination that makes Tempranillo so approachable: young Crianzas are wonderfully fresh and uncomplicated, while Reservas and Gran Reservas develop increasing depth and complexity with age.

Which Tempranillo is suitable for which occasion?

• Crianza (e.g., El Coto Rioja Crianza from €7.85 or Ramon Bilbao Rioja Crianza from €8.45): Ideal for everyday enjoyment, uncomplicated and fruity. Perfect with pasta, pizza, or a simple barbecue.
• Reserva (e.g., Coto de Imaz Rioja Reserva from €11.95, LAN Rioja Reserva from €12.70, or Marqués de Riscal Reserva from €16.80): More structure and depth due to longer barrel aging. Excellent with leg of lamb, roast beef, or aged cheese.
• Gran Reserva (e.g., Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva from €19.80): The top tier – complex, long-lasting, with fine tannins and a great taste experience. A wine for special moments and festive tables.

Order Tempranillo online at Vinoscout

Want to buy Tempranillo but don't know where to start? Our selection offers the full spectrum of this fascinating grape variety – from light rosés like the Marqués de Cáceres Rosado Rioja starting at €7.40 to grand Reservas from established wineries. All wines come from carefully selected producers, which you can conveniently order directly online at Vinoscout. Let yourself be captivated by Spain's most important red wine grape – one sip and you'll understand why Tempranillo has conquered the world.