Tinta Roriz (also known internationally as Tempranillo)
Tinta Roriz is the Portuguese name for the renowned red grape variety better known in Spain as Tempranillo. In Portugal, it is also called Aragonez (particularly in the Alentejo region), reflecting regional naming traditions for this same grape.
Originating from the Iberian Peninsula, Tinta Roriz is one of the most important and widely planted red varieties in Portugal, especially prominent in the Douro Valley, where it ranks among the top grapes authorized for Port wine production. It is a key component in many classic Port blends alongside Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and others, contributing structure, color, and aromatic complexity. Beyond fortified wines, Tinta Roriz is increasingly used for high-quality dry red table wines in the Douro, Dão, and Alentejo regions.
The variety is characterized by early ripening (hence the Spanish name Tempranillo, from “temprano” meaning early), thick-skinned berries, and good resistance to heat and drought—qualities that suit Portugal’s hot, dry continental and Mediterranean climates. It thrives on poor, well-drained soils such as the schist slopes of the Douro.
In the glass, Tinta Roriz typically delivers deep ruby to garnet colors and a balanced structure with moderate to good acidity and firm but approachable tannins. Young wines showcase vibrant aromas and flavors of ripe red and black fruits (cherry, raspberry, plum, blackberry), often accompanied by notes of dried fig, licorice, anise, herbs, and subtle mineral hints. With age, especially in oak-aged or premium Douro reds and in aged Ports, it develops more complex tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, dried fruits, spice (cinnamon, clove), and earthy undercurrents.
While sharing the same genetic identity as Spanish Tempranillo, Portuguese expressions of Tinta Roriz often reflect distinct terroirs and blending traditions—frequently appearing in field blends or co-fermented with indigenous varieties—resulting in wines that can emphasize freshness, fruit purity, and elegance rather than the pronounced oak influence sometimes seen in Rioja or Ribera del Duero styles.
Versatile and expressive, Tinta Roriz is prized for producing lively, fruit-forward young reds as well as structured, age-worthy wines capable of great finesse and longevity.