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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 savoury, non-fruity character and the vanilla, toast and oak character, while moving away from too austere, too peppery and too drying or too tannic.

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.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Sangiovese

curated

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

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 more tannic and structured.

Touriga Nacional

curated

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

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 more fruit-driven, and drier.

Rioja Gran 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.

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Crianza

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 less oaky.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Baga

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

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.

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.

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Carmenère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Corpinnat

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tawny Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more fruit-driven, and drier.

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 more tannic and structured.

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 more tannic and structured.

Rioja Gran 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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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 more tannic and structured.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Rioja Gran 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 more savoury.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more tannic and structured.

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 more tannic and structured.

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 more tannic and structured.

Rioja Gran 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.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 more tannic and structured.

Douro red

Both are made from tempranillo.

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

Alentejo red

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

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

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 more fruit-driven, and drier.

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more tannic and structured.

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 more tannic and structured.

Something more adventurous

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Priorat

Both come from the same country.

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

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.