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 oaky or woody, too drying or too tannic and too earthy or musty.
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.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Alentejo red
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- 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.
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.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
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.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
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.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
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 tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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
curatedA 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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Baga
Baga scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Bairrada Baga
Bairrada Baga scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
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.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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 more savoury, and earthier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Alentejo red
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
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 more tannic and structured, 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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
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 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.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
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.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
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 more tannic and structured, 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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
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.