If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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, while moving away from too earthy or musty and too austere.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less austere.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less austere.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less austere.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA 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 earthier, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA 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 earthier, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.
Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
Dalmatian Plavac Mali scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Carmenère
Carmenère scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA 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 earthier, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
Dalmatian Plavac Mali scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
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 more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Corpinnat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.
Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.
Tawny 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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.
Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.
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 earthier.
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 earthier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.
Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Hawke’s Bay Syrah scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.
Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Tawny 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.
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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
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 earthier.
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 earthier.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 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 fruitier.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Port
Both are made from tempranillo.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 earthier.
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 earthier.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.
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
curatedA blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.
Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA 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 earthier, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 earthier.
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 earthier.
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.