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 vanilla, toast and oak character, while moving away from too peppery.
- You said you like the vanilla, toast and oak character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
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.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Toro
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- Substantially less peppery.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- 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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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 less spicy, and less oaky.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 less spicy, and less oaky.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
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 less spicy, and less oaky.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 less oaky, and spicier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
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 less oaky, and less spicy.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic.
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 more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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 less spicy, and less oaky.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 less spicy, and less oaky.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 less oaky, and spicier.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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 less oaky, and spicier.
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 less spicy, and less oaky.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Alentejo red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 less spicy, and less oaky.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 less spicy, and less oaky.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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 fuller and richer.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less oaky.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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.