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There are four labelling terms that are used to reflect the style and quality of wines throughout Rioja DOCa, reflecting the legal minimum ageing criteria.
Joven/Genérico: Young and fruity, with no minimum ageing requirements, typically released in the year following the vintage. You don’t often see Joven on labels today, simply labelling the wine Rioja is much more commonplace.
Crianza: Must be aged in oak barrels prior to release. Crianza wines have fresh fruit flavours laced with vanilla and hints of spice.
Reserva: Aged for extended periods of time before release, both in oak and in-bottle. Reserva wines are more structured and fuller-bodied. Fresh fruit flavours become cooked and spices become more pronounced.
Gran Reserva: Only made in exceptional years and comprised of grapes from the very best vineyards, Gran Reserva wines are subject to the highest minimum ageing requirements. Elegant and complex, the reds have rich dried fruit flavours and notes of leather.