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 peppery.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less peppery.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less peppery.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and 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 peppery.
Sangiovese
curatedBoth are savoury, cherry-fruited, food-oriented Mediterranean reds of medium to full body.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less peppery.
Merlot
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 peppery.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
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 peppery.
Carignan
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 peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Sangiovese
curatedBoth 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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Merlot
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.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Toro
Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Toro
Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Sangiovese
curatedBoth 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.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pedro Ximénez
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Toro
Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Corpinnat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Toro
Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more savoury, and earthier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Alentejo red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and less spicy.
Ribera del Duero
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.
Alentejo red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.