Circular 5/2017. Changes in
the Designation Specifications
for Reservas, Gran Reservas
and Whites

In the plenary session held on 11 November 2016, it was decided to set a minimum period of six months in the bottle for red wines in the “Reserva” category, so that the definition will result as follows:

“Red wines: Ageing in oak barrels and in the bottle for a total period of at least thirty-six months, with a minimum twelve months’ barrel ageing, followed and complemented by a minimum six months in the bottle.

It was also decided that the obligation of the new definition of Reservas will be enforceable as of 1 January 2019, in order to enable operators to adequate plan adaptation.

In the same plenary session, it was also decided to modify the definition of the “Gran Reserva” category for red wines, so that it will result as follows:

“Red wines: Ageing in oak barrels and in the bottle for a total period of at least sixty months, with a minimum twenty-four months’ barrel ageing, followed and complemented by a minimum twenty-four months in the bottle.

Finally, during that same session of 11 November 2016, a decision was made to modify the descriptions of the vinification processes of white and rosé wines lifting restrictions on the use of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo grapes, the said descriptions now being as follows:

• WHITES
  In the vinification of white wines, only Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Turruntés, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo grapes may be used.
• ROSÉS
  A minimum 25% of grapes must be Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, Mazuelo and Maturana Tinta. The optional mixture for rosé wines should take place after the grapes have been delivered and weighed in.

These changes have been incorporated into the Designation Specifications of the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja and the European Commission acknowledged receipt on 14 July 2017, the immediate validity thereof is reported, except for the change in the definition of the “Reserva” category for red wines subject to the agreed-upon delay of its coming into force, and on condition of the accreditation of the traceability of the consignment, in the case of white and rosé wines.

Logroño, 17 July 2017.

THE PRESIDENT,

Fernando Salamero Laorden