What is Rioja Gran Reserva?
But Rioja Gran Reserva is defined not by terroir — as long as the grapes come from the confines of the Rioja appellation in northern Spain — but by how long the wine has aged. The rules require gran reservas to have been aged at least two years in barrels and three in bottles before they can be released.
What is the difference between reserva and Gran Reserva?
A “reserva” has been aged at least three years, with at least one of those in barrel. “Gran reserva” means that it was aged at least five years, with a minimum of two years in oak. In addition, gran reserva wines are typically made in only outstanding vintages.
How long can you keep Rioja Gran Reserva?
five years
You can keep these wines in storage for up to five years, but it’s best to drink them young. Reserva: Producers are highly selective when they pick grapes for a reserva label.
What style of wine is a Rioja Gran Reserva?
Selected wines from exceptional vintages which have spent at least 2 years in oak casks and 3 years in the bottle. For white wines, the minimum aging period is 4 years, with at least one year in casks. The Gran Reserva level of Rioja experiences the most oak-aging.
What are the best years for Rioja?
SpainRioja
| Vintage | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Description A warm year gave structured and balanced reds | ||
| Vintage 2015 | Score 91 | Description Hot and dry; structured reds, some hot |
| Description Hot and dry; structured reds, some hot | ||
| Vintage 2014 | Score 89 | Description A cool growing season produced fresh, savory wines |
What are the different types of Rioja?
Tempranillo, a red wine grape that’s indigenous to Spain, is the dominant grape in Rioja. Rioja wines are split into four classification levels: Genérico, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. Wines from Rioja can be medium to full-bodied, with high tannins and rich flavors of dark berries, plum, tobacco, and herb.
Is Rioja high in tannins?
While containing a good amount of acidity, Tempranillo — most often found in Rioja — also contains a ton of tannins, both from the berries themselves and from the oak the Reservas and Gran Reservas age in for over two years before being bottled.
Is 2011 a good year for Rioja?
The 2011, 2012 and 2015 vintages are, in general, very good vintages, albeit warm ones that produced fuller, lustier, more saturated wines. Many Gran Reservas from Rioja and Ribera will be released this year, and these wines should be snapped up and stored away for future enjoyment.
