Crianza: Aged a minimum of two years before release,
with one year in barrel
Reserva: Aged a minimum of three years before release,
with one year in barrel
Gran Reserva: Aged a minimum of five years before
release, with 18 months in barrel
* These terms are observed in Rioja DOC, Navarra DO, and
in Ribera del Duero DO
Spanish Wines: Categories
Vino de Mesa “Table Wines”
This is the lowest designated level of quality. The specifications
required are merely a geographical location, and the grape
varietals used to be listed on the label.
Vino de la Tierra “Wine
of the Country”
In addition to the geographical location, and the grape varietals
listed, the vintage and aging details must be indicated, as
well as a minimum alcohol content.
This classification is similar to Vin de Pays in France, or
IGT in Italy.
Vinos de Calidad con Indicaion Geographica
“VCIG”
Created to act as an interim between VT and DO status. After
5 years as a VCIG, an application can be submitted by the
region for advancement to a DO.
There are currently six VCIGs.
Denominacion de Origen “DO”
The regulatory body of the DO, the Consejos Reguladores, is
responsible for defining each wine within the DO, and with
imposing the established rules and regulations such as authorized
varietals, yields, vinification methods, aging requirements,
etc.
Denominacion de Origen Calificada “DOC”
To achieve this status, the area has to have been recognized
as a DO for a minimum of ten years, the wines have to be bottles
in the DO, and the wines cannot be sold in bulk; in addition
to the previous qualifications.
There are only two areas in Spain with DOC status: Rioja and
Priorat.
Vinos de Pago “Wine of the Vineyard”
New method of classifying wine quality is this single estate
classification. The qualifications include that the bodega
and the bottling plant must be on the premises of the domain.
However, the qualification further requires the judgment to
be that the perception of the estate in question is one of
the great wine estates in Spain.
Each DO Pago, is allowed to set its own rules, including varietals
planted, viticulture and vinification methods, and aging.
An estate in an established DOC, would receive the designation
“Vino de Pago Calificado.”
There are only four estates in Spain with DO Pago status.
