Rioja Aging Designations

Question 1

What is the aging requirement for Joven Rioja?

Answer 1

Generic Rioja wines do not have aging requirements. Expect these wines to use minimal oak-aging and have a fleshy style. In the past, this was Rioja’s lowest quality indication.

Question 2

What is the aging requirement for Crianza Rioja?

Answer 2

Crianza (“kree-ahn-tha”) was formerly where quality started for Rioja wine. The increased aging allows Tempranillo-based wines to develop more complexity. Expect red fruit flavors and subtle spice.

Red wines: Aged for a total of two years with at least one year in oak barrels.
White and rosé wines: Aged for a total of two years with at least six months in barrels.

Question 3

What is the aging requirement for Reserva Rioja?

Answer 3

Red wines: Aged for a total of three years with at least one year in oak barrels and at least six months in bottles.
Sparkling wines: Wines must be aged “en tirage” (on the lees) for no less than 24 months. Vintage-dated espumosos must be hand-harvested.
White and rosé wines: Aged for a total of two years with at least six months in barrels.

Question 4

What is the aging requirement for Gran Reserva Rioja?

Answer 4

Red wines: Aged for a total of five years with at least two years in oak barrels and two years in bottles.
White and rosé wines: Aged for a total of five years with at least six months in barrels.

Question 5

What is the aging requirement for Gran Añada Rioja?

Answer 5

Sparkling: Wines must be aged “en tirage” (on the lees) for no less than 36 months. Vintage-dated espumosos must be hand-harvested.

Question 6

Vino Espumoso de Calidad

Answer 6

min. 15 months on the lees from the date of tirage prior to disgorgement

Question 7

Vino Espumoso de Calidad Reserva

Answer 7

min. 24 months on the lees from the date of tirage prior to disgorgement

Question 8

Vino Espumoso de Calidad Gran Añada

Answer 8

min 36 months on the lees from the date of tirage prior to disgorgement.

Question 9

Crianza Blanco/Rosado

Answer 9

min. 18 months, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder may be in bottle, oak or stainless steel)

Question 10

Reserva Blanco/Rosado

Answer 10

min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)

Question 11

Gran Reserva Blanco/Rosado

Answer 11

min. 4 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)

Question 12

Crianza Tinto

Answer 12

min. 2 years, including at least 1 year in oak

Question 13

Reserva Tinto

Answer 13

min. 3 years, including at least 1 year in oak and 6 months in bottle

Question 14

Gran Reserva Tinto

Answer 14

min. 60 months of aging with at least 24 months in oak and at least 24 months in bottle