With more than 340 items, Red Wine is the most extensive category in the wine range. It includes wines from the regions D.O. Rioja, D.O. Ribera del Duero, D.O.P. Abadía Retuerta, D.O. Mallorca and D.O. Jumilla. The wines are divided by level of ageing into young (Joven), Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva - as the category rises, so does the time spent ageing in barrel and bottle, and usually the price as well. The most distinctive examples include Aalto from Ribera del Duero, Artadi and Abadia Retuerta. The choice of a red wine is governed mainly by the level of ageing and by how robust the dish it will be served with is.
How to find your way around this category
The category combines wines from both established and smaller Spanish regions. D.O. Rioja and D.O. Ribera del Duero are among the most prestigious red wine regions, D.O. Mallorca offers a more modern, fruitier style (for example the 4Kilos range), and D.O.P. Abadía Retuerta is an independent winery outside the classic D.O. system, focusing on premium blends.
The level of ageing is decisive when choosing a wine. The longer a wine has aged in barrel and bottle, the fuller and more complex its flavour - and usually the higher its price.
Levels of ageing - how to choose by flavour
The classification of ageing differs slightly between individual D.O. regions, but in general the following approximate division, used mainly in Rioja and Ribera del Duero, applies:
Category
Typical ageing time
Character
Recommended use
Joven (young wine)
No ageing or only brief ageing
Fresh, fruity, drunk young
Everyday dining, tapas
Crianza
Approx. 2 years, part of that in barrel
More balanced, a gentle woody note
Grilled meat, jamón
Reserva
Approx. 3 years, longer in barrel
Fuller body, more complex flavour
Matured cheeses, red meat
Gran Reserva
5 years and more, long ageing in barrel and bottle
The most complex, velvety tannins
Special occasions
The exact ageing requirements differ according to the specific D.O. region - always check the ageing category of your chosen wine in its description.
Storage and serving
Store red wine somewhere dark and cool, ideally at 12-16 °C, with the bottle lying down. It is served somewhat cooler than room temperature, at around 16-18 °C. Fuller-bodied Reserva and Gran Reserva wines benefit from decanting, which helps to open up their aroma.
Older Gran Reserva vintages may have sediment settled in the bottle - stand them upright for several hours before serving and decant carefully.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva?
The difference lies mainly in the ageing time - Crianza ages for the shortest time (usually around 2 years), Reserva for longer (around 3 years) and Gran Reserva for the longest (5 years and more), with a corresponding increase in the complexity of the flavour.
What is the ideal serving temperature for red wine?
Around 16-18 °C, that is slightly below room temperature. Lighter young wines can also be served somewhat cooler.
Why is decanting recommended for older vintages?
Decanting aerates the wine and helps to open up its aroma, and at the same time separates the settled sediment that naturally forms in older vintages.
How long does an opened bottle of red wine keep?
In the fridge with the cork replaced, usually 3-5 days, after which it loses its fruitiness and aroma.
Which red wine goes well with jamón?
A wine in the Crianza or Reserva category with balanced tannins works best - they cut through the fattiness of the jamón but do not overwhelm its delicate flavour.
The level of ageing (Joven to Gran Reserva) and the region of origin. Also: the price rises with the length of ageing and the prestige of the region.
What we base this on
On the Spanish system for classifying ageing and information from the wineries Aalto, Artadi and Abadía Retuerta. Also: we verify the current vintage with the specific product.
Where the limits are
The exact rules for Crianza/Reserva/Gran Reserva differ slightly between D.O. regions. Also: you will always find the specific category in the product detail.
What this category does not cover
White, rosé or sparkling wine. Also: you will find those in the sister categories White Wine, Rosé Wine and Sparkling Wines.