crianza

Crianza is a term used in Spanish winemaking and labeling to indicate a defined stage of aging for wines, particularly reds and whites produced under Spanish Denominaciones de Origen. The word derives from the Spanish verb criar, meaning to raise or mature. In many DOs, crianza is an official category granted to wines that have been aged for a minimum period before release, including a portion in oak, with the remainder in bottle.

In Rioja and some other DOs, crianza sits between joven (young) and reserva. For red wines labeled crianza, the minimum aging is typically two years in total, with at least one year spent in oak before bottling; for white wines, the minimum is two years total, with a portion in oak (often six months or more). The precise requirements can vary by DO and by wine type.

The aging process commonly takes place in oak barrels, which contribute flavors such as vanilla, toast, and spice, along with color stabilization and softened tannins. After oak aging, the wine may continue to mature in bottle before release, further shaping aroma and structure.

Crianza is one of several quality categories used in Spain, alongside reservas and gran reservas. It is distinct from the criadera y solera system used for aging Sherries and some other wines, which involves fractional aging across successive layers of casks.