Red Rioja Aging Requirements
| Wine Type | Minimum Barrel Aging | Minimum Bottle Aging | Total Aging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joven | No specific requirement | No specific requirement | No specific requirement |
| Crianza | 1 year in oak barrels | No minimum | 2 years minimum total aging |
| Reserva | 1 year in oak barrels | 6 months | 3 years minimum total aging |
| Gran Reserva | 2 years in oak barrels | 2 years in the bottle | 5 years minimum total aging |
Discover: Joven wine deep dive.
White Rioja Aging Requirements
| Wine Type | Minimum Barrel Aging | Minimum Bottle Aging | Total Aging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joven | No specific requirement | No specific requirement | No specific requirement |
| Crianza (White) | 6 months in oak barrels | No minimum | 2 calendar years from 1 October |
| Reserva (White) | 6 months in oak barrels | No minimum | 2 years minimum total aging |
| Gran Reserva (White) | 6 months in oak barrels | No minimum | 4 years |
Rose Rioja Aging Requirements
| Wine Type | Minimum Barrel Aging | Minimum Bottle Aging | Total Aging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joven | No specific requirement | No specific requirement | No specific requirement |
| Crianza (Rosé) | 6 months in oak barrels | No minimum | 2 calendar years from 1 October |
| Reserva (Rosé) | 6 months in oak barrels | No minimum | 2 years |
| Gran Reserva (Rosé) | 6 months in oak barrels | No minimum | 4 years minimum total aging |
What’s Rioja Wine Taste Like? Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva
Red Rioja Wine Tasting Notes
| Wine Type | Aromas | Flavors |
|---|---|---|
| Joven | Fresh berries, floral notes | Red fruit, lively acidity |
| Crianza | Cherry, vanilla, spice | Ripe fruit, subtle oak |
| Reserva | Dark fruits, tobacco | Structured, leather, oak influence |
| Gran Reserva | Dried fruit, cedar, earth | Complex, full-bodied, aging potential |
Thirsty for More?
Check out how Rioja became one of Spain’s predominant winemaking regions.
Here’s a list of amazing Spanish red grape varieties you should be drinking
And if you’re into white wines, here are Spanish white wines you need try at least once in your life.
