Therefore, we are going to see what makes a wine to be considered Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva and what characteristics we can expect from this consideration. The wine classification based on the time the wine spends maturing or aging in the winery is typically Spanish, and will only be found in wines of this origin.
Despite the fact most Spanish consumers will use this as a determinant factor of choice when choosing a bottle of wine, it has also sparked some controversy. This is normal because a classification with aging time as the only criteria, without any other type of consideration -the type of wine, vintage, precedence, etc. If we talk about RED WINE wines, those wines with a minimum total ageing period of 24 months , of which at least 6 must be in barrels, fall into the crianza category.
In order to make the whole classification, it was stipulated that the maximum capacity of the barrels should be litres. As for the reserve category, in the case of red wines, the total ageing period must be at least 36 months , with a minimum of 12 months in cask.
For red wines, the Gran Reserva category is destined for those that have been aged for a minimum of 60 months.
These wines must be aged for a minimum of 18 months in barrel. In the case of such a universal product -yet also inevitably linked to its place of origin- simply focusing on aging time is inadequate, and one of the reasons the law failed. There are some designations of origin, such as the Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin or the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin , under which wines of excellent quality are produced that are particularly suitable for ageing during longer maturation times.
In this way, the permanence of the wine in barrels transfers a multitude of aromatic nuances from the wood, gives definition to its texture and conditions its flavour. This is why, in the case of Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin wines, the classification of crianza, reserva and gran reserva contemplates longer periods of time spent in barrels, and even defines the use of a specific type of container: the Bordeaux barrel , traditional in the production of wines from the Bordeaux region, with a capacity of litres, which facilitates greater contact between the wine and the wood.
For white wines, the minimum barrel ageing period is 6 months. For white wines, the minimum ageing period is 2 years, with at least 6 months in barrels. These are wines of great vintages that have been painstakingly aged for a total of sixty months with at least two years in oak barrels and two years in the bottle.
For white wines, the minimum ageing period is 4 years, with at least 6 months in barrels. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Red Rioja is made from the Tempranillo temp-rah- nee -oh grape although there may also be some Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuala in there to mix things up a bit which creates soft, easy drinking reds bursting with red fruit flavours. The Joven wines express the characteristics of this grape; which are great with tapas or as a party wine aka something that will please the majority of people at a large gathering!
Rioja wine makers traditionally use new American oak to age their wines which adds a definite velvety vanilla characteristic, but wine makers are also making great use of old French oak barriques in combination with American oak so as not to mask the fabulous fruit of the Tempranillo grape. White Rioja , I am pleased to announce, is becoming increasingly popular of late. Made mostly from the Viura grape variety also known as Macabeo , Rioja wine makers have moved away from the old-school oaky style and are now concentrating on accentuating fruity freshness with a mark of creamy complexity.
These are a great match for lighter dishes such as tapas, fish or creamy chicken dishes. There is a reason why wine lovers enjoy Rioja so much; they very rarely disappoint.
To celebrate this fantastic region, and its incredible wines, Tanners currently have many special offers online and in store, including a few staff favourites.
Something the Spanish seem to have more of than its New World Counterparts: time. The only wine released early here is vino joven , or young wine, which is the daily drinking wine at the tapas bars and at most dinner tables. This wine has only been through basic fermentation, then barreled or bottled for immediate drinking to local restaurants, bars and their own front-of-the-house shops, so locals can fill their own bottles bound for home.
The next youngest red wine is Crianza , which must be aged for 2 years, with at least 6 months in oak.
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