Rioja is Spain's best-known wine region, and its labels carry a simple ageing code: crianza, reserva, gran reserva. The words describe how long the wine was aged before release, not its grape or its price. This post sets out the standard Rioja rules and then points to three restaurants in our directory whose listings mention Rioja.
The three ageing labels
For red wine under the Rioja DOCa rules, the minimum ageing is:
- Crianza: two years of ageing in total, with at least one year in oak barrels.
- Reserva: three years in total, with at least one year in oak and at least six months in bottle.
- Gran reserva: five years in total, with at least two years in oak and at least two years in bottle.
A Rioja without any of these words falls outside the three aged categories. Our post on Spanish wine beyond Rioja covers the regions outside it.
What it means at the table
The label tells you about ageing, not about grape or price. If a list shows several, ask which one suits what you are eating.
Where to try it
The listings below mention Rioja. We have not checked their wine lists, so ask which labels are on offer.
- Pintxito, London: its listing says the bar has a concise drinks list that includes Rioja and Txakoli wines, served in 75, 125 and 175ml measures.
- Enrique Tomás, Peru: its listing mentions Spanish wines from Ribera del Duero and Rioja, alongside ham and cured meats.
- Restaurante Guria, Santa Fe, Mexico City: the listing says its wines come from multiple DOs, apart from traditional Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
