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Wines like Tempranillo

Spain’s leading red variety, giving savoury, leather-and-cherry wines that are shaped as much by oak ageing as by the grape itself. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Tempranillo

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What do you like about Tempranillo?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure The vanilla and oak The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something keeping the vanilla, toast and oak character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too austere, too earthy or musty and too peppery.

You said you like the vanilla, toast and oak character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less austere.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Pinotage

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less austere.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.

Sangiovese

curated

Both are savoury, cherry-fruited, food-oriented Mediterranean reds of medium to full body.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.

Dolcetto

Dolcetto scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Rondinella

Rondinella scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

Similar but lower in alcohol

Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

Dornfelder

Dornfelder scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

Rondo

Rondo scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Toro

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Argentine Malbec

Argentine Malbec scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Toro

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.

Sangiovese

curated

Both are savoury, cherry-fruited, food-oriented Mediterranean reds of medium to full body.

Expect: Higher acidity and firmer, grippier tannin, with tomato-leaf and herb notes in place of leather and vanilla.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Toro

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less spicy.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Sparkling Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Toro

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Syrah

Syrah scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Argentine Cabernet Franc scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Xinomavro

Xinomavro scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Alentejo red

Both are made from tempranillo.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Dão

Both are made from tempranillo.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Douro red

Both are made from tempranillo.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Dão

Both are made from tempranillo.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Rioja

Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Toro

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.

Ribera del Duero

Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Douro red

Both are made from tempranillo.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Port

Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Rioja

Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Pinotage

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Pinotage

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Ribera del Duero

Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Priorat

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

How these are chosen

Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.