Rioja Reserva Aging Requirements
| Wine Type | Oak Aging | Bottle Aging | Total Aging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rioja Reserva | 12 months | 6 months | 36 months |
| White Rioja Reserva | 6 months | No specific requirement | 24 months |
| Rosé Rioja Reserva | 6 months | No specific requirement | 24 months |
Rioja Reserva Pronunciation: ree-oh-ha reh-serve-ah
All Rioja Reserva wines are oak aged. Red wines age 1 year in barrel, 6 months in bottle (3 years total). White and rose age 6 months in barrel, 2 years total.
Helpful Tip: Here’s a full breakdown of Rioja wine aging requirements.
Helpful Tip: Red Rioja wines are blends of grapes. The main grape that goes into red Rioja wine is Tempranillo. Here’s a quick guide to Tempranillo vs Rioja. Your wine’s flavor profile will depend on the grapes that go into the blend.
Other Rioja Red Wine Aging Requirements
Helpful Tip: The youngest red Rioja Reserva wine you will see in a wine shop is at least 3 years old. That’s toddler age.
What Is Rioja Wine?
Rioja wines are made in the Rioja region of Spain. This is a storied and historic winemaking powerhouse of a region worthy of our time. Check out the curious backstory of Rioja wine and how it came to dominate Spain’s winemaking culture.
Thirsty for More?
Check out the different Rioja wine label colors here to help you pick great Rioja wines.
Love Spanish wines as much as I do? Here’s a list of other Spanish red wines you should be drinking.
Here’s everything you need to know about Rioja Crianza wines, the youngest official oak-aged classification in Rioja.
