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What is Riserva Wine?

Eataly Magazine (February 24, 2019)
Perhaps you've seen certain Italian wines labeled riserva before. But what exactly is Riserva wine and why is there so much hype around it?

In Italy, we use the word Riserva to indicate a superior vino. The term is most often seen when talking about notable wines of Toscana, like Chianti Classico or Brunello di Montalcino, as well as Piemonte's famous Barolo and Barbaresco wines. While outside of Italy the word "reserve" can mean many different things depending on where the wine is made, Italian wine law stipulates that Riserva wines are aged for a longer period of time than wines that are not labeled riserva. Riserva wines also tend to use higher quality grapes.

Below are some common standards for some of Italy's most popular Riserva wines:

Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva: Aged for at least 4 years
Barbaresco Riserva: Aged for at least 4 years
Barolo Riserva: Aged for at least 5 years
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva: Aged for at least 5 years
Chianti Classico Riserva: Aged for at least 27 months
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Aged for at least 3 years


Apart from the fact that Riserva wines require higher-quality ingredients and meticulous attention to detail, it's really the aging process that makes this wine more expensive. After all, the wine producer must store riserva wines in their cellars for a much longer period of time. Trust us: it's well worth it and there's nothing quite like the taste of a well-aged Riserva!


The best of the best, Riserva wines are of great standing and prestige. Traditionally, Italian wines labeled "Riserva" are made with riper grapes and undergo longer periods of aging than non-riserva wines. This often results in a flavor that many consider better. Indeed, they're the kind of bottles you "reserve" only for special gatherings! These bottles also make great gifts for wine lovers.





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