What are the most popular Tempranillo wine blends?
The best known Tempranillo blends are Rioja reds, which can combine Tempranillo with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Ribera del Duero is mostly Tempranillo, locally called Tinto Fino or Tinta del Pais. In Portugal the same grape is called Tinta Roriz and is a major blending grape in Port.
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In this article
The main Tempranillo blends
Tempranillo is the main grape of many Spanish reds. Here are the blends most buyers meet. This is a plain guide, not a ranking.
| Wine | What is in it |
|---|---|
| Rioja (Spain) | Tempranillo as the core grape; Garnacha tinta, Graciano, Mazuelo and Maturana tinta are the other permitted reds |
| Ribera del Duero (Spain) | Mostly Tempranillo (locally Tinto Fino or Tinta del Pais); reference works list other permitted grapes such as Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, and sources differ on the details |
| Toro (Spain) | Tempranillo, locally Tinta de Toro, in a rich style with grippy tannins |
| Port (Portugal) | Tinta Roriz, the Portuguese name for Tempranillo, is one of the major blending grapes |
Rioja: who does what
- Tempranillo: the core variety, with ageing potential and an affinity with oak.
- Garnacha tinta: adds freshness and body.
- Graciano: contributes color, acidity and tannin, which support ageing.
- Mazuelo: adds acidity, structure, tannin and color.
- Maturana tinta: gives color and tannin.
Rioja DOCa permits five red grapes: Tempranillo, Garnacha tinta, Graciano, Mazuelo and Maturana tinta. Blend shares are not fixed by these rules, so check the label or the producer’s page.
Ribera del Duero
This region is dominated by Tempranillo. Many bottles are labeled as Tempranillo or Tinto Fino, and producers may add small amounts of other permitted grapes. Check the producer’s information for the exact blend.
Reading a label
- Look for the region first (Rioja, Ribera del Duero), then the aging word (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva).
- Look for a grape list on the back label. Many bottles name the blend.
- If none is listed, search for the producer’s tasting sheet.
Outside Spain and Portugal
Tempranillo is harder to find elsewhere, with small plantings in Argentina, southern France, Australia, the United States and Mexico. Blends vary by winemaker, so treat the label and the winery’s information as the source.
This is general guidance; drink responsibly.
People also ask
What is Tempranillo usually blended with?
In Rioja, the permitted partners are Garnacha tinta, Graciano, Mazuelo and Maturana tinta. In Ribera del Duero, it is mostly Tempranillo with small amounts of other permitted grapes.
Is Rioja a blend?
Often, with Tempranillo as the core grape, but the shares are set by the producer. Check the producer's information.
What is Tinta Roriz?
The Portuguese name for Tempranillo, used in Port blends.
Sources
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