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Rioja lives and dies by its aging system: Crianza spends a minimum of a year in oak and drinks young and fruity; Reserva goes longer and picks up more structure; and Gran Reserva stretches out the furthest, turning polished, softer, and quietly complex. Same Tempranillo grape, same region, three genuinely different wines depending on how long it sat in the barrel. That aging is also where the flavor comes from. American oak, Rioja's traditional choice, gives the wine its telltale vanilla and baking-spice notes layered over cherry and plum, something Tempranillo grown outside Rioja rarely develops in quite the same way. Related Articles: Rioja Wine Explained: Taste, Food Pairings, How to Serve, Best Types & Regions Rioja: Origin, Flavor Profile & Notable Regions Spanish Wine Uncorked: Explore Flavors, Regions & Pairings