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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 firm tannic structure.

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.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

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 firm tannic structure.

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 firm tannic structure.

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 firm tannic structure.

Jumilla Monastrell

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Mourvèdre

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Douro red

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Pinotage

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

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.

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 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 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 fuller and richer, 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.

Jumilla Monastrell

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Mourvèdre

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

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

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.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

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.

Colorino

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

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

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

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.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Dolcetto

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

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

Colorino

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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.

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 less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.

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 tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, 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 both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

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 fuller and richer.

Mavrud

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Aglianico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.

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 tannic and softer, and sweeter.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.

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 stiller, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but sweeter

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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 less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

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 less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Malbec

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

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

Syrah

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fresher and more acidic.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

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 aromatic, 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 more aromatic, 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 more aromatic, and fuller and richer.

Jumilla Monastrell

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more floral

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

Cahors

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

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

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 more floral.

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fruitier

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.

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.

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Alentejo red

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

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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 more floral, 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 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 fuller and richer.

Rioja Gran 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 less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.

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 fresher and more acidic.

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 more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.

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

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 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 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 fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Something more adventurous

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

Jumilla Monastrell

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

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.

Jumilla Monastrell

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

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 fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.

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 fuller and richer.

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.