Guaranteeing D.O.Ca Rioja

A Spanish Designation of Origin (D.O.) marks a wine-producing region whose wineries are subject to specific quality control rules, similar to the French Apellations d’Origine Controlee (AOC). D.O. wines are subject to strict quality controls throughout the vineyard, harvest, winemaking and bottling. D.O. Rioja was the first region to receive this title in 1926. In 1991 it was awarded an even higher title – Qualified D.O. or D.O.Ca – because of its even stricter quality controls throughout all processes. It was the first D.O. to receive this honour.

Since 2000, wineries in D.O.Ca Rioja have implemented a new set of security and identification labels, a first in the world of wine, in order to guarantee the quality of the D.O.Ca wines. When purchasing your Rioja, look for the Rioja Trustseal on the back of the bottle. It is a small metallic-looking strip depicting the word “Rioja” and the Rioja logo. Its exclusive design, glossy sheen, sharply defined edges and optical effects are made with the same technology used on European banknotes and is virtually impossible to replicate. It serves to guarantee the quality of the wine contained within.

Understanding the Rioja Trustseal
D.O.Ca Rioja wines will carry one of the following labels on the back of the bottle:

Young wines:
Wines in their first or second year, which keep their primary freshness and fruitiness.It also includes aged wines which have not been certified as Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva by the Control Board.

Crianza wines:
Wines which are at least in their third year, having spent a minimum of one year in casks. For white wines, the minimum cask ageing period is 6 months.

Reserva wines:
Selected wines with an excellent potential that have been aged in cask and bottle for a minimum of 3 years, with at least one year in casks. For white wines, the minimum ageing period is 2 years, with at least 6 months in casks.

Gran Reserva wines:
Selected wines from exceptional vintages which have spent at least 2 years in oak casks and 3 years in the bottle. For white wines, the minimum ageing period is 4 years, with at least one year in casks.