Definition: Gran reserva

In Spain, wine from a great year that undergoes a long ageing process before being released onto the market. Red wines in this category must spend at least two years in barrels, then three years in vats or bottles.

The wine cannot leave the bodega until six years after the harvest year. For gran reserva white and rosé wines, the ageing period is set at four years, including at least six months in barrels.

Many bodegas age their wines for much longer than these legal minimums. These are wines with excellent ageing potential.

See reserva.