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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.

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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 savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody and too earthy or musty.

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

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 savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less oaky or woody.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Carmenère

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Rioja Crianza

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Alentejo red

Both are made from tempranillo, and 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 savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Merlot

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Valais Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

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.

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)

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

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

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella

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

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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)

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Toro

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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Similar but less tannic

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

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.

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.

Toro

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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Toro

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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Carmenère

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Corpinnat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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.

Rioja Crianza

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Valais Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Toro

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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 more oaky, and earthier.

Rioja Crianza

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

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 more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.

Dão

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 fruitier.

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

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 oaky, 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.

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 more oaky, 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 more oaky, and earthier.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Toro

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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 more oaky, and fruitier.

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

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.

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.

Merlot

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

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

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 more oaky, and earthier.

Something more adventurous

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Touriga Nacional

curated

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

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

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.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

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 more oaky, and earthier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

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.