Rioja is split into several styles or expressions, under the Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja, each with minimum age requirements:

1. Rioja: Low / No Oak 1-2 Years aging. This is a baby Tempranillo, without all the tannin or richness of the other classifications. It shows the varietal characteristics if not much else.

2. Crianza: 1 Year in Oak + 1 Year in Bottle. This is an accessible level of Rioja wine, aged commonly in used oak the flavours are not as strong. Its not too rich, but could be said to have more body than Merlot with better value than Cabernet Sauvignon.

3. Reserva: 1 Year in oak + 2 Years in Bottle. This is where Rioja begins to get serious, and the wines are often aged beyond the minimum. Made in the best vintages, they have great potential for further aging.

4. Gran Reserva: 2 Years in Oak + 3 Years in Bottle. Selected from vintages of exceptional level, with these wines suitable for cellaring for up to 30 years. By the time most are released into the public market they have been held back for 10 years.