Gran Reserva
/ɡɾan reˈseɾβa/
classification, spanish-wine, aging, oak, quality-tier, labeling, rioja, regulation•Last updated January 13, 2026
Gran Reserva (/ɡɾan reˈseɾβa/) is a legally defined Spanish (and, with different rules, some Portuguese) wine category indicating wines that have undergone extended aging in oak barrels and in bottle before release, typically representing the longest-aged and most prestigious tier in a producer’s range. In classic Spanish regions such as Rioja and Ribera del Duero, red Gran Reservas usually age at least 5 years in total (with a minimum period in oak), developing complex, evolved, tertiary aromas and softer tannins.
Examples
- On a restaurant list, a guest chooses a "Rioja DOCa Gran Reserva 2015" knowing it has seen long oak and bottle aging and will show developed flavors like dried cherry, leather, and tobacco.
- A winery explains that it only produces a Gran Reserva in exceptional vintages, selecting the best Tempranillo parcels and aging the wine for over 5 years before release.
- In a tasting class, students compare a Rioja Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva from the same bodega to see how extended maturation in the Gran Reserva leads to more savory, spicy, and balsamic notes.