Spanish law sets minimum periods of barrel and bottle ageing for its wines. Much of the character of these wines comes from oak ageing. Oak helps soften the tannins, and gives the wines some vanilla and toast flavors. The ageing periods vary from one region to another, but they all go by the same name. From shortest to longest, they are Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. Sure, Gran Reserva may sound semantically superlative, but only the best wines weather the longest ageing process. Many Spanish wines are released while young and full of fruit. Here are the minimum ageing periods in Ribera:
Crianza - at least one year in oak.
Reserva - three years, with at least one year in oak
Gran Reserva - five years, with at least two years in oak.
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These weary warriors of wine battled, persevered, and finally triumphed
And celebrated with libations and the roasted carcass of a pig
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