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How to Read a Rioja Wine Label

Started by Ryan Opaz · 9 meses atrás

This article is not only written for those of you who feel a little skittish around foreign terms like crianza and gran reserva, but also for those self-proclaimed wine experts who think they’ve got the Spanish nomenclature of aging down flat. In Iberia, terminology is defined by ... Continue reading »

8 comments

  • AllAboutAlavesa

    1 ano atrás

    My favorite wines out of Rioja have quickly become the "High Expression" wines, or "Alta Expresion." While these do not have their own individual label as explained above (crianza, reserva, etc.) they will fall into one of these categories, generally the "Guarantee of Origin" classification. These Alta Expresion's are, for me, the most interesting wines coming out of Rioja today. They allow the bodegas to experiment with different blends and are an amazing example of what can be produced by fusing traditional Rioja methods with today's cutting edge technology used in many of the bodegas in Rioja. I believe that more and more these are the wines that we will be hearing about in the future when Rioja is mentioned.
    reply
  • AllAboutAlavesa

    1 ano atrás

    My favorite wines out of Rioja have quickly become the "High Expression" wines, or "Alta Expresion." While these do not have their own individual label as explained above (crianza, reserva, etc.) they will fall into one of these categories, generally the "Guarantee of Origin" classification. These Alta Expresion's are, for me, the most interesting wines coming out of Rioja today. They allow the bodegas to experiment with different blends and are an amazing example of what can be produced by fusing traditional Rioja methods with today's cutting edge technology used in many of the bodegas in Rioja. I believe that more and more these are the wines that we will be hearing about in the future when Rioja is mentioned.
    reply
  • John Housley

    1 ano atrás

    What do the different coloured labels on the back of bootles of Rioja signify
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 ano atrás

    Hey John,


    I just uploaded a photo of the new image you'll see on a Rioja wine.



    Green: Joven





    Red: Crianza





    Purple: Reserva





    Blue: Gran Reserva



    Thanks for the question!
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 ano atrás

    Hey John,

    I just uploaded a photo of the new image you'll see on a Rioja wine.

    Green: Joven
    Red: Crianza
    Purple: Reserva
    Blue: Gran Reserva

    Thanks for the question!
    reply
  • Ian

    11 meses atrás

    What does the two character code on a Rioja certification label mean, eg my Camp Rioja bottle has a hologrammed label with a serial number, Crianza and the code RL. What does RL mean? One producer said the nearer to Z the better but I have never been able to verify or clarify this.
    reply
  • gabriellaopaz

    11 meses atrás

    From my understanding, it's a batch number for the labels. The label only has a 5 digit numerical code, which requires the consejo to add letters as well. Therefore, whenever 10,000 bottles are labeled, they need to change the lettering/numbering for quality control and tracking purposes, in much the same way a serial code functions for your car. As for the hologram, it is intended to change to a funky "designer" hologram in October/November of 2009. What that exactly means? No idea, but when it comes out, we'll be sure to let you know ;-) I hope that helps.
    reply
  • Matt

    9 meses atrás

    I really enjoy all types, but having only recently been converted to Rioja by a friend, I dont understand all the classifications, what they mean and therefor the types I like more than others. Can anyone recomend a good book on the history etc as I am really keen to learn more
    reply

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