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The best value tempranillo wines
These great reds make the perfect autumnal drink. The team at Wotwine have picked out some best value bottles to get your hands on...
Tempranillo is a high quality and versatile grape. In Spain, around 40% of red vine plantings are made from it, as it's the main grape used in Rioja, Toro and Ribera del Duero. But tempranillo can be a wine of it's own variety, too. Not sure what to pick? These are the best reds made from this wonderful fruit...
Phantom River Tempranillo 2017
First is one of the new generation of Tempranillos, from La Mancha, south of Madrid. This vast, arid plain was traditionally the source of grapes for Spanish brandy and cheap Cava but increasingly higher quality varieties like tempranillo are being planted. This is an approachable wine from the region and offers genuinely good value.
Phantom River Tempranillo 2017
Stockist: Sainsbury
Price: £5.00
The Wotwine panel thinks this is worth: £6.00
Clean, juicy, fruity wine with ripe plum fruit and an easy drinking, friendly character.
Castillo del Sabio Tempranillo 2013
The second wine is also labelled Tempranillo. It also is called a 'Wine of Spain', rather than labelled with a specific region. However, it still has some bottle age which delivers some added complexity.
Castillo del Sabio Tempranillo 2013
Stockist: Morrison’s
Price: £5.75
The Wotwine panel thinks this is worth: £6.00
Rustic, genuine wine with lighter bramble fruit, dried herbs and fallen leaves.
Burgo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2015
This Rioja and is a Crianza, which means it must have been aged for at least 24 months, including 12 months in oak barrels. In this case the traditional American oak famously gives a vanilla and coconut aroma to the wine.
Burgo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2015
Stockist: Iceland
Price: £7.25
The Wotwine panel thinks this is worth: £7.50
Traditional style, with spicy, sweet oak, balsamic notes and savoury red fruits.
Tesco Finest Vina de Cura Rioja Reserva 2013
Rioja Riservas are a step up in quality and have to be aged for 36 months, again including 12 months in oak. This is well-priced and an example of the more mature style of tempranillo. Tesco is moving from the 2012 to 2013 vintage, so you may find both on the shelf.
Tesco Finest Vina de Cura Rioja Reserva 2013
Stockist: Tesco
Price: £8.50
The Wotwine panel thinks this is worth: £9.00
Well made, fully mature, soft wine with good red fruits, warm baking spices, leather and toffee character. Ready to drink now.
El Piadoso Rioja Gran Reserva 2008
The top Riojas are Gran Reserva. They have to be aged for 60 months prior to release, including 24 months in oak. That is expensive, which is reflected in the price, but this remains fair value and is a high quality wine.
El Piadoso Rioja Gran Reserva 2008
Stockist: Waitrose
Price: £16.99
The Wotwine panel thinks this is worth: £17.00
Well made, mature wine with red cherries, red plums and elegant oak usage. Drink now!
Food and wine enthusiast Alex joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2015 following seven years in the wine trade. In addition to her passion for oenology and Diploma in Wine & Spirits, she is a dedicated home cook and baker with skills learnt whilst working alongside the likes of Michel Roux Jr and Antonio Carluccio.
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