tempranillo

noun

tem·​pra·​nil·​lo ˌtem-prə-ˈnē(l)-(ˌ)yō 

variants sometimes Tempranillo

plural tempranillos; sometimes Tempranillos

: a full-bodied red wine that is notably used in the production of Rioja

also : the grape itself

Examples of tempranillo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another standout, the New York Sour, is a twist on a whiskey sour that features a Spanish tempranillo float. —Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 2 Mar. 2026

Guided tastings include five Texas estate wines, which might be a soft viognier, mineral-forward roussanne, or one from tempranillo or tannat grapes, both of which love Texas heat. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026

Then it was aged in a variety of casks—tempranillo wine, port, Pedro Ximenez sherry, ex-bourbon, Cooper’s Reserve, Cooper’s Select, and of course garryana oak (both first and second fill)—and bottled at 100 proof. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025

The climate mirrors Spain's Rioja region, home to the tempranillo grape. —Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025

That includes a $12 Six Hats pinotage from South Africa, a $10 Melea tempranillo from Spain, and a $12 Dashe Chenin Blanc from California. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025

Rioja wine region La Rioja, Basque Country, and Navarre Spread across three different autonomous communities, the Rioja wine region is known for its tempranillo grapes, which produce the tannic, full-bodied red wines of the same name. —Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, masculine derivative of tempranilla "early-ripening grape," from temprano "early" (going back to Late Latin temporānus, variant of temporāneus "happening at the right time, seasonable" from Latin tempor-, tempus "time" + -āneus, as in Late Latin extemporāneus extemporaneous) + -illa, feminine diminutive suffix

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above