Definition: Crianza

In Spain, this term refers both to the ageing process of a wine and to the lowest officially recognised category of wine that has been aged in barrels. A crianza wine cannot be released onto the market until three years after the vintage. During the two years of ageing in barrels and bottles, the wine will spend at least six months in barrels. In the Rioja and Ribera del Duero appellations, crianza wines, which are produced in large quantities, mature for twelve months in oak barrels. In contrast, "sin crianza" wines are young, fruity wines that are bottled without any barrel ageing.