Tempranillo is a delicious red wine that pairs well with many different types of food. In this article, we will explore some of the best Tempranillo food pairings.
We’ll start with some general tips for pairing Tempranillo with food, and then move on to specific examples.
So whether you’re looking for ideas for your next dinner party or just want to know what goes well with Tempranillo, read on for the best food pairings for this popular Spanish wine!
Tempranillo Food Pairings
In general, Tempranillo wine pairs well with everyday foods that are medium-weight and have medium flavor or spiciness.
This includes all red meat, roasted meats, roasted vegetables, and light curries.
Tempranillo also pairs well with slightly sharper cheese like Manchego, grilled salmon, roasted chicken, tacos, burritos, pasta with red sauce, and chocolate cake, brownies, and truffles for dessert.
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Tips for Pairing Tempranillo With Food
Tempranillo produces wines that are typically light to medium-bodied with high acidity.
The grape has flavors of cherry, raspberry, tobacco, and leather.
Tempranillo is often blended with other grapes, such as Grenache and Mazuelo.
When it comes to Tempranillo wine food pairing, there are a few general tips to keep in mind.
- First, Tempranillo is a relatively light-bodied red wine, so it pairs well with lighter fare such as poultry, pork, fish, and vegetables.
- Second, Tempranillo has moderate tannins, which means it can stand up to heartier dishes like red meat and pasta.
- Finally, Tempranillo is often best when served slightly chilled, so don’t be afraid to pop it in your beverage cooler for a bit before serving.
Tempranillo is a very well-rounded red wine making it a great pick for most foods.
It looms a little over very light foods and can taste a little dull when paired with highly spiced foods.
However, it’s a great wine for pairing with most other foods and the cherry fruit flavors are a wonderful complement to most dishes.
Read More: Is Tempranillo Wine Sweet? Tempranillo is a unique red that is often described as sweet, but is it really a sweet wine?
Our Favorite Tempranillo and Food Pairings
Now that we’ve covered some general tips, let’s move on to specific Tempranillo food pairings.
- Tempranillo with grilled salmon. The light body of the Tempranillo complements the fish perfectly, and the moderate tannins can stand up to the smokiness of the grill.
- Tempranillo with roast chicken. The wine’s acidity helps cut through the richness of the chicken, and its light body means it won’t overpower the delicate flavor of the bird.
- Tempranillo pairs well with red meat. Try it with grilled steak or lamb chops for a perfect match.
- Tempranillo is delicious with mushrooms. Whether you choose to pair it with grilled vegetables or pasta dishes, Tempranillo is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed with many different types of food.
- Lasagna, pizza, and dishes with tomato-based sauce are Tempranillo’s best friends.
- Tempranillo and tapas or paella are incredible together.
- Tempranillo and charcuterie are wonderful if the charcuterie tray includes flavorful olives and roasted meats. Add some rosemary crackers and sourdough bread.
- Tempranillo, prosciutto, and figs are incredible together.
- Tempranillo goes great with mild curries.
- Try tempranillo with tacos, burritos, and loaded nachos.
When considering Tempranillo food pairings, look for dishes with similar flavors like oak, tobacco, cherry, plum, or fig.
Pair Tempranillo and Cheese
For cheese lovers, Tempranillo is a great match for Manchego, a sheep’s milk cheese from Spain.
The wine’s acidity will cut through the richness of the cheese while the flavors compliment each other nicely.
Can I Have Tempranillo With Dessert?
If you’re looking for dessert wine and food pairings, Tempranillo goes well with chocolate cake or brownies.
The wine’s tannins will help balance out the sweetness of the dessert.
So there you have it, a few Tempranillo food pairings to get you started.
Do you have a favorite Tempranillo food pairing? Let us know in the comments below so we can try it too!
Read More: Tempranillo Wine vs Pinot Noir. We take a closer look at these two red wines to see how they compare in flavor, pairings, origin, and more!
The Bottom Line
So there you have it, a few of our favorite Tempranillo food pairings.
Tempranillo is such a versatile grape and can be enjoyed with a wide variety of foods, making it one of our all-time favorite wines.
We hope this list has given you some inspiration the next time you’re looking for the perfect wine to pair with your meal!