Reserva

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Reserva and Gran Reserva (literally, "reserve" and "great reserve") are terms used in wine-making in Spain and Portugal to attempt to indicate reserve wines, that is, wines made in a superior manner. However, in practice it is very difficult to regulate quality, so the term primarily deals with aging and alcoholic strength.

In Spanish wines, when used on a label "Reserva" means that the wine was aged for at least three years in the cask and bottle, at least one of which must have been in the cask.

Those that have been aged for five years (two in cask, three in bottle) or more are labelled "Gran Reservas". Gran Reservas are intended to be made only in exceptional vintages, but this is up to the producer.

In Portugal the term indicates that the wine has an alcohol level of at least 0.5 percent above the regional minimum, and that it was made from a rated vintage.