Among the wide range, crianza wines stand out for the particularities of their maturation process and the nuances of aroma, flavor and texture they offer. They usually present unique characteristics that allow them to be identified, such as the maturation time they require. It is in this process that they acquire their quality, their balance and the characteristics that make them unique options.
In this article, we will dive into crianza wines and their characteristics.
What is a crianza wine
Crianza wines are those wines that have undergone a maturation process consisting of two distinct phases: resting in oak and transfer to bottle. The maturation process is also called crianza. It is the most important process and the one that will have the greatest influence on the final product.
After the harvest and fermentation, the must that has been transformed into wine is placed in oak barrels. In these barrels, the wine can age in a controlled manner and in an oxidative atmosphere.
The characteristics of the wood, such as its construction and pores, influence the aging process by favoring physical, chemical and biological reactions that affect the characteristics of the aged wine.
During its rest in wood, the wine gains astringency, structure and tannin concentration. In addition, it adopts the aroma of oak wood depending on how long it is kept in these conditions.
After barrel maturation, the wine undergoes a similar period, but in a bottle and in a reductive atmosphere. The lack of oxygen favors other processes that soften the wine, modify its color, eliminating the intense red to favor lighter tones, and decrease its acidity. In this way, the crianza wine adopts its unique tone and character.
Characteristics of Crianza wine
In Spain, wines are classified according to their region of origin, appellation, winery and maturation time. As for crianza wines, their characteristics are as follows:
Crianza general
A red wine is usually considered a crianza wine if it has been aged for at least 2 years and 6 months within the 2 years in barrels. In the case of whites and rosés, they need a maturation of 18 months with 6 months in barrels.
It is the aging that manages to balance and polish the characteristics of these wines. It is undoubtedly a crucial stage for a quality wine. However, the criteria depends on the region where the wine has been produced and, in addition, on the regulations of the council.
Tasting notes
This type of wines are intense with a greater structure than the young ones. The aroma of the wood can be appreciated due to the time spent in maturation. Therefore, they are elegant wines, with a balanced amount of tannins and low acidity.
Duration
The life cycle of crianza wine is calculated up to 5 years after the date of its vintage.
