Secrets Behind the Labels of Imported Spanish Wines




Spain is one of the world's major wine-producing countries, and the volume of Spanish wine imported into China is increasing. However, for Chinese consumers, the Spanish language on Spanish wine labels can be particularly difficult to understand. Therefore, this article lists common terms found on Spanish wine labels from A to Z to help readers better recognize Spanish wines.


Anejo: Aged for 12 months in oak barrels or bottles.


Blanco: White Wine.


Bodega: Literally meaning "wine cellar," it is often a part of a winery's name.


Cava: Traditional Spanish sparkling wine, classified as a DO.


Clarete: A color介于pale pink and deep pink.


Cosecha: The year refers to the fact that 85% of the grapes used to make this bottle of wine are from the vineyard designated on the label for that specific year.


Cosechero: A refreshing, fruit-forward new wine, akin to the term "vino joven."


Mixed and Bottled By: Mixed and Bottled.


Crizanza: Red wines labeled "Crizanza" can age for at least 2 years, with 6 months in oak barrels; white wines or rosés labeled "Crizanza" require a minimum of 1 year's aging, including 6 months in oak.


DO (Denominación de Origen): Wine produced from regions with strictly controlled quality standards.


DOC: A higher-tier classification in the official Spanish wine rating system, ranking above DO.


Doble Pasta: Refers to red wine where the grape skin content is twice that of regular wine during fermentation and maceration, resulting in a wine that is not clear and has a rich color.


Dulce: Sweet Wine.


Bottled By: Bottled.


Espumoso: Sparkling Wine.


Generoso: Fortified or sweet wine.


Gran Reserva: Refers to wine produced from exceptional vintages, typically with great aging potential. Red wines labeled as "Gran Reserva" must age for at least 5 years, with 18 months in oak barrels. White and rosé wines are aged for 4 years, with 6 months in oak barrels.


Noble: Aged wine for 2 years in oak barrels or bottles.


Nuevo: A new wine with rich fruit flavors and a refreshing taste.


Reserva wines, from decent vintages, typically possess extended aging potential. For red wines, a label marked "Reserva" indicates a minimum of 3 years of aging, including at least 1 year in oak barrels; for white and rosé wines, it's at least 2 years of aging, with at least 6 months in oak barrels.


Rosado: Pink Wine.


Seco: Dry Wine.


Semidulce: Semi-Sweet Wine


Sin Crianza: Wines that have not been aged in oak barrels, including early-bottled white wines and most rosés.


Tintillo: A color介于淡红色和深粉红色之间, similar in meaning to "clarete."


Tinto: Red Wine.


Viejo: Literally meaning "old," wines labeled with "Viejo" must be aged for at least 3 years since 2005.


Vina/Vinedo: Literally meaning "vineyard," it is commonly used as part of a brand name and does not refer to a specific vineyard.


Vino Comarcal: A regional wine category, positioned above Vino de mesa and below Vino de la tierra.


Vino de Aguja: A Low-Foam Wine


Vino de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica: A wine category that ranks between Vino de la Tierra and Denominación de Origen.


Vino de la Tierra: Spanish Wine


Vino de Mesa: Table Wine, ordinary, inexpensive wine.


Vino de Pasto: A common, inexpensive wine.


Vino Joven: Refers to wine that can be consumed within a year.