Spanish wine for beginners: labels explained

Spanish supermarkets have long wine aisles, and even a cheap bottle can carry words like Crianza, Reserva or DOCa. Once you know what these terms mean, choosing a bottle becomes much easier, and you will know when it is worth paying a little more. This guide explains Spanish wine labels in plain words, with a short look at the wines made here in Málaga province.

For a tour of the regions themselves, read our beginner’s guide to the wine regions of Spain. This article focuses on reading the label.

Where the wine comes from: DO, DOCa and other categories

Spanish wine is classified by where it comes from and the rules it follows. From the most specific to the most general, the main categories are:

• Vino de Pago: wine from a single estate with its own recognised character, produced and bottled on the estate.
• DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada): the top regional category. Only Rioja and Priorat (DOQ in Catalan) hold it.
• DO (Denominación de Origen): the most common quality label. Each DO has a regulatory council (consejo regulador) that sets rules on grape varieties, yields, winemaking and ageing. Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Rías Baixas, Jerez and Málaga are all DOs.
• Vino de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica: a step between Vino de la Tierra and DO, for areas working towards DO status.
• Vino de la Tierra (IGP): regional wine with looser rules. This is where you find many good-value bottles, sometimes from winemakers who prefer more freedom.
• Vino de España: wine without a specific region on the label.

The category tells you where the wine is from and which rules it followed. It does not guarantee you will like it, and a simple Vino de la Tierra can be better value than a DO wine at the same price.

How long it was aged: Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva

Spain is known for wines aged before they go on sale. The terms Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva are defined in Spanish wine law (Ley 24/2003 de la Viña y del Vino). The national minimums are:

• Crianza: red wine aged at least 24 months, of which at least 6 in oak barrels. White and rosé: at least 18 months, with at least 6 in oak.
• Reserva: red wine aged at least 36 months, of which at least 12 in oak. White and rosé: at least 24 months, with at least 6 in oak.
• Gran Reserva: red wine aged at least 60 months, of which at least 18 in oak. White and rosé: at least 48 months, with at least 6 in oak.

Each DO can set stricter rules than the national minimums. Rioja, for example, requires more time in oak than the law does. The year on the label (cosecha or vendimia) is the year the grapes were harvested.

You will also see other words that are not part of these three official ageing terms:

• Joven: a young wine, with little or no time in oak, meant to be drunk fresh and fruity.
• Roble: “oak”. The wine has spent a short time in barrel, but not enough to be a Crianza.

Older is not automatically better. A Gran Reserva has softer, more developed flavours, while a Joven is lively and fruity. Many people prefer a Crianza with everyday food.

Other words on the label

• Tinto, blanco, rosado: red, white, rosé.
• Seco, semiseco, dulce: dry, medium-dry, sweet.
• Bodega: the winery. “Embotellado en la propiedad” means bottled at the estate.
• Cava: Spanish sparkling wine made by the traditional method, with its own DO.
• Grape varieties: common names include Tempranillo (also called Tinta del País or Tinto Fino), Garnacha, Monastrell, Albariño, Verdejo, Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez.

Málaga’s own wines

If you live on the Costa del Sol, start with the local wines. Málaga province has two wine DOs and one for raisins:

• DO Málaga: mainly sweet wines made from Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez grapes, from areas such as the Axarquía, the Montes de Málaga and the hills north of Antequera.
• DO Sierras de Málaga: red, white and rosé wines. Many come from modern wineries in the hills around Ronda, using grapes such as Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds and Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for whites.
• DO Pasas de Málaga: sun-dried Moscatel raisins, a traditional product of the Axarquía and Manilva.

A sweet Málaga wine is a classic with dessert or after a meal. Several Ronda wineries offer visits and tastings, which make a good day out. Check opening times and book ahead directly with the winery.

Where to buy wine in Spain

• Supermarkets: a wide range at low prices. Our comparison of Spanish supermarkets explains the main chains.
• Wine shops (vinotecas): staff can advise you and often have smaller producers you will not find in supermarkets.
• Online: useful for wines from other regions or for buying by the case. Online wine shops such as Petit Celler (ad) sell wines from many Spanish regions.
Advertisement
• Directly from the winery: many bodegas sell bottles after a visit.

Wine in Spain is usually drunk with food. If you want something to serve with it, Spanish delicatessen shops such as La Mallorquina (ad) sell cheese, ham and other products. For how and what to order in a bar, see our guide to Spanish drinking culture.

FAQ: Spanish wine labels

What is the difference between Crianza and Reserva?

Ageing time. A red Crianza is aged at least 24 months, including at least 6 in oak. A red Reserva is aged at least 36 months, including at least 12 in oak. Some regions, such as Rioja, require more.

Is a DOCa wine better than a DO wine?

Not necessarily. DOCa is the top regional category and only Rioja and Priorat have it, but many excellent wines come from DOs and even from Vino de la Tierra.

Does Málaga make wine?

Yes. DO Málaga is known for sweet wines from Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez, and DO Sierras de Málaga covers red, white and rosé wines, many from the Ronda area.

What does “roble” mean on a Spanish wine?

It means oak. The wine has spent a short time in oak barrels, but less than a Crianza.

Useful links

• Wine Scholar Guild: the quality wine system of Spain
• BOE: Ley 24/2003 de la Viña y del Vino (Spanish wine law)
• Andalucia.com: the wines of Málaga

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and prices change, so check with the official source before you decide. Links marked “(ad)” are affiliate links – NewInSpain may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.