Pairing Tempranillo Wines with Food

Tempranillo, a wine grape that is native to Spain, has a growing following in Australia and the United States. This red wine grape (the grape itself is actually black) is often used as a blending wine, and you can find Tempranillo blended with Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Grenache. It is also an outstanding and very versatile wine for pairing with a wide variety of food. Its dark, velvety texture can stand up to rich, spicy foods, but can also complement a delicate soufflé and many types of seafood. Tempranillo can have aromas that include cinnamon, roses, violets, licorice and berries, and its flavors can range from blackberries and plums to vanilla, tobacco and leather. Interested in pairing this outstanding red wine with your next dinner party? Try some of the food pairings below.

Pairing with Seafood. Tempranillo makes crab cakes even more tempting than you would have thought possible. This red wine goes very well with scallops, too, best if prepared with a heartier sauce. Any type of grilled white fish will be complemented nicely by a glass of Tempranillo, as will steamed mussels.

Pairing with Game. Venison, buffalo, duck, goose and even ostrich all go very well with Tempranillo wines. The liveliness of a glass of Tempranillo will make pairing it with all types of game meats very easy to do. This red wine will complement wild game dishes no matter how they are prepared.

Pairing with Egg Dishes. Many egg dishes go very well with Tempranillo. Soufflés, omelets, frittatas, and quiches all taste that much better when served along with a great glass of Tempranillo. Look for a younger bottle to serve with your egg dishes, unless you are serving them with spicy or very rich sauces.

Pairing with Steak. There is almost no way to prepare a steak that will not go well with Tempranillo. Whether your prefer strip, sirloin, porterhouse, tenderloin, or ribeye, you can't go wrong when pairing your steak with this lovely red wine. Its versatile flavoring makes it the perfect addition to any steak dinner, no matter how you prefer it prepared.

Barbecue. A lightly chilled glass of Tempranillo is the perfect complement to almost any barbecued dish, including chicken, chicken wings, pork and beef. Look for a heartier bottle of this red wine to serve with your barbecue dishes, one that can stand up to the richness of your barbecue sauce.

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Personal experience