Tempranillo: what it tastes like
Tempranillo is Spain’s leading red grape, the backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Expect red cherry, plum and fig; oak ageing adds vanilla, leather, tobacco and dried herbs. The body is medium to full with moderate tannin.
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Taste profile
- Colour
- red
- Body
- medium to full
- Acidity
- medium
- Tannin
- medium
- Sweetness
- dry
Aromas
What to pair with
- tapas and jamón
- lamb
- roasts
- mature cheeses
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FAQ
What do crianza, reserva and gran reserva mean?
They are Spanish ageing levels: crianza is the shortest, reserva longer, gran reserva the longest in oak and bottle. The higher the level, the more vanilla, leather and tobacco you will find.
Are Tempranillo and Rioja the same thing?
Rioja is a region; Tempranillo is the main grape used for its reds. Most red Rioja is built on Tempranillo.