A Rioja Riserva is a wine - white or red - from the Rioja region in northern Spain that has been aged for a longer period of time in wood and in the bottle before release.

While a Rioja known as a crianza is aged for two years, a riserva Rioja is matured for at least three years (one of which is on oak), while a Gran Riserva is aged for a minimum of two years in oak and three years in the bottle.

As a Rioja producer determines that his best wines will be given additional aging and thus be labeled as a riserva, these wines offer greater complexity as well as aging potential as compared to a crianza or non-Riserva.


Rioja Riservas can drink well for anywhere from seven to twenty years. These are rich, full-flavored wines, but offer a great deal of elegance. Pair these wines with most red meats, lighter game or aged cheeses.