When it comes to Rioja, age really does matter. But rather than simply being about how old a wine is, Rioja has a wonderfully simple system that tells us how long the wine has spent maturing in both oak and bottle before it reaches us.
A Little Patience Goes a Long Way!
When it comes to Rioja, good things come to those who wait! But what do those words on the label – Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva actually mean and what difference does all that ageing make to the wine in your glass?
Well, it all goes back to the 19th century, when Rioja's winemakers began looking to Bordeaux for inspiration, embracing oak barrels and discovering just how beautifully their wines could mature with a little time and patience. Fast forward to 1980, and Rioja introduced its now-famous ageing classifications, giving us a handy guide to what's been happening behind the scenes.
Starting with Crianza. Think of this as Rioja's youthful, fruit-forward offering. like the wonderfully versatile Ontanon Crianza, perfect with anything and everything. Red Crianza must spend at least two years ageing, including a minimum of one year in oak barrels. The result? Lovely ripe red fruit, a little vanilla and spice and just enough oak influence to add a bit of extra character without stealing the limelight.
Next up, Reserva such as the Valenciso Reserva. A little more time, a little more complexity. With a minimum of three years ageing, including at least one year in oak, these wines have time to develop. The fresh fruit starts to mingle with more savoury flavours of leather, tobacco and spice, creating something altogether more rounded and intriguing.
And finally, the grand old Gran Reserva, try Ontanon's Rioja Gran Reserva for a special treat. These are the wines that really know how to take their time! With at least five years of ageing, including two years in oak and further time in bottle, they develop wonderful layers of complexity. Think softer fruit, earthy notes, silky tannins and those lovely hints of spice and leather that come with maturity.
But here's the thing: older doesn't necessarily mean better, just variety. Oak ageing brings vanilla, spice and toasty notes, whilst time in the bottle allows the wine to soften and develop those more savoury, complex flavours. It's all about finding the style that's right for you and the occasion.
A juicy Crianza might be just the ticket for a plate of tapas, while a beautifully mature Gran Reserva could be the perfect companion to a slow-cooked Sunday roast.
After all, why rush a good thing?
