Reserve

Reserva
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Additional code for "better quality wine" in Portugal and Spain Which is reserved for the highest quality (DO, DOC and DOCa). In Spain, calls this a wine with well-defined higher requirements for vinification, alcohol content and development (ripening period in cask and bottle) than regular fillings. The provisions relate mainly red wines are, for white and rosé wines, the provisions regarding the expansion mostly lower. A Reserva must be aged at least 36 months, of which at least 12 months in oak barrels and the rest in the bottle. The highest level of Gran Reserva must be aged at least 60 months, of which at least 18 months (24 months, there were up to 2005) in oak barrels and the rest in the bottle. Quite often, these are wines made from the best vintages and / or from the best grapes of one harvest.

Unlike a Crianza (this is the stage at Reserva with at least 24 months maturation in oak barrels for six of them), there are steps in the Reserva and Gran Reserva no exceptions in the form of special regulations for individual vineyards. Renowned wineries are often considerably exceed these requirements. The famous flagship product "Gran Reserva 890" of the winery in La Rioja Alta , for example, matures at least six to eight years in oak barrels and another six years in the bottle and is thus the earliest after an incredible 12 to 14 years on the market.

In Portugal, the additional term may only Reserva for a "special vintage of outstanding quality" erwendet. A wine must have three years (including one in the bottle), a white wine a year (six months in the bottle) and have been stored to be mature. The alcohol content of at least 0,5% more than the standard default DOC may be a Portuguese Reserva Garrafeira call.

See also the wine laws in the two countries, and under reserve (Germany, Austria), (France) and reserve (Italy).