Spain is a member of the European Union and thus complies with their laws and standards. This means they divide wines into two major categories: table wines and quality wines.
The lower category of “table wines” include two categories:
Vino de mesa (literally meaning “table wines”)—The lower echelon of the wine classification system. This category is very important to Spain and accounts for about half of its production.
Vino de la tierra (country wines) – sourced within a single, fairly broad wine region (geographical indication “GI”), and must meet nominal alcohol and sensory standards.
The other category of “Quality Wines” are labeled as VCPRD which stands for “vinos de calidad producidos en una region determinada”. These wines are produced within more narrowly defined regions and have higher production standards than table wines. A government organization made up of primarily wine growers establish rules and regulations related to the wine-making process in each geographical area. They regulate the cultivation, production and ageing of Spanish wines in order to guarantee the consumer gets a quality product.
There are four subcategories of quality wines recognized in Spain:
Vino de Calidad con Indicació Geográfica (VCIG) – This status is for regions trying to prove themselves worthy of becoming labeled a DO status. They must remain in this status for five years before becoming eligible for DO status. The wines will be labeled as “Vino de Calidad de” followed by the region name.
Denominaciónes de Origen (DO) – Wines labeled DO status are prestigious Spanish wines produced in a demarcated zone of production whose production is regulated by a Governing Body that ensures winemakers compliance to the standards set with regard to grape varieties, crop yields, winemaking methods, and aging regimens. The wines will be labeled “Denominación de Origen” followed by the region name. In order for wines to be given DO status, the production area is required to have been recognized over at least the previous five years as a region producing quality wines with a geographical indication.
Denominaciónes de Origen Calificada (DOCa)—This category is for the standout regions among the DO status wines. They have a higher set of standards than other DO wines. They must have demonstrated superior quality as a DO for at least 10 years. All products must come to market bottled in wineries located in the region where they are produced or which follow a suitable quality control system imposed by their monitoring and regulating body. At the moment the only regions awarded this classification are Rioja and Priorat (which may be seen labeled as DOQ).
Vinos de Pago (DO/DOCa Pago)- (estate wine)—established to recognize specific single vineyards of distinction that produce excellent wine. This is the highest established category for a Spanish wine. The wines must be made and bottled at the winery or within the municipal area where the vineyard is located. They may or may not lie within an official DO or DOCa. They set their own appellation rules, but must meet or exceed those of larger DO category wines.
Quality wines may use other terminology that specify aging requirements of the wine prior to release. These are minimum age requirements and some winemakers age wines for longer periods. The terms are:
Crianza – (may say Vino de Crianza) – applies to red wines aged for a minimum of 2 years, of which 6 months are spent in oak containers(barrels). For white and rosé wines minimum of 18 months total aging with 6 months in barrel.
Reserva – applies to red wines that are aged for a minimum of 36 months, to include at least 12 months in oak barrels and the rest in the bottle; and to white and rosé wines aged for 18 months, to include 6 months in oak barrels.
Gran reserve – applies to red wines aged for a minimum of 60 months, with at least 18 months in oak barrels, and for white and rosé wines aged for 48 months, with at least 6 months in oak barrels.
Some additional terms may apply to wines not in the above categories:
Joven – (meaning “young wine”) is a wine released the year after it was made and, if oak-aged at all, with no more than 12 months in barricas (wooden barrels).
Vino noble (meaning “noble wine”) – refers to a wine that has spent a minimum of 18 months aging in barricas or in the bottle.
Vino añejo – (meaning “aged wine) – wine that has spent a minimum of 24 months aging in barricas or in the bottle.
Vino Viejo (meaning “old wine”) – a wine that has spent a minimum of 36 months aging in a strongly oxidative environment exposed to light, oxygen, and/or heat.
The source of this material came from winesfromspain.com. A great source for more information on the Spanish wine industry. http://www.winesfromspain.com