Tempranillo

Tempranillo (also known as Ull de Llebre, Cencibel, Tinto Fino and Tinta del Pais in Spain, Aragonez or Tinta Roriz in Portugal, and several other synonyms elsewhere) is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in its native Spain. Its name is the diminutive of the Spanish temprano ("early"), a reference to the fact that it ripens several weeks earlier than most Spanish red grapes. Tempranillo has been grown on the Iberian Peninsula since the time of Phoenician settlements. It is the main grape used in Rioja, and is often referred to as Spain's noble grape. The grape has been planted throughout the globe.

In 2015, Tempranillo was the third most widely planted wine grape variety worldwide with 231,000 hectares (570,000 acres) under vine, of which 88% was in Spain.

Unlike more aromatic red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Pinot noir, Tempranillo has a relatively neutral profile so it is often blended with other varieties, such as Grenache and Carignan (known in Rioja as Mazuelo), or aged for extended periods in oak where the wine easily takes on the flavour of the barrel. Varietal examples of Tempranillo usually exhibit flavours of plum and strawberries.

Tempranillo is an early ripening variety that tends to thrive in chalky vineyard soils such as those of the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. In Portugal, where the grape is known as Tinto Roriz and Aragonez, it is blended with others to produce port wine.

Aalto, Ribera del Duero 2019

Justerini and Brooks

£42.00

Bideona, Laguardia L4GD4 2020

Hallgarten Wines

£37.50

Bideona, Tempranillo de Laderas 2021

Hallgarten Wines

£17.00

Bodega Latue, Don Tinto Tempranillo 2025

Keeling Andrew & Co.

£13.25

Bodega Vizcarra, Celia 2009

Bordeaux Index

£99.00

Bodega Vizcarra, Toralvo 2009

Bordeaux Index

£51.00

Bodegas Aalto, Aalto PS 2005

Richard Wilson

£130.00

Bodegas Artuke, Rioja El Escolladero 2017

Justerini and Brooks

£85.00

Bodegas Benito Urbina, Reserva Especial 2006

Les Caves De Pyr�ne

£24.00

Bodegas Benito Urbina, Rioja Crianza 2015

Les Caves De Pyr�ne

£18.50

Bodegas Benito Urbina, Seleccion Rioja 2000

Les Caves De Pyr�ne

£23.25

Bodegas Vizcarra, Laran Laran 2023

Bodegas Vizcarra

£21.00

Bouza, Monte Vide Eu 2022

Jeroboams

£51.00

Cabriz, Edicao Especial 2018

Marta Vine Ltd

£23.25