What It Means When A Wine Bottle Is Labeled 'Reserve'

If you’ve ever come across a wine bottle with the label “reserve,” “reserva,” or “riserva” and assumed the wine is of higher quality, you’re right, but that’s not the whole story.

The “reserve” marker comes from Europe and was used to designate wines that were likely to age well, often having been made during top-quality years for grapes.

The idea was that the wine would be reserved for aging and sold later, which would yield a spirit with a higher alcohol percentage, more tannins, and a complex, nuanced flavor.

However, in some countries, like Australia, no particular meaning is tied to the word. “Reserve” can be slapped on any bottle as a marketing ploy to bump up the price tag.

On the other hand, in countries like Spain, as a rule, “reserva” red wines must be aged for three years, with at least a year of that happening in oak barrels.

Still, there’s no guarantee that wines with these labels are good quality since it’s possible to make a wine with lousy grapes and age it enough to earn the “reserve” label.

In countries like Australia, the U.S., and France, “reserve” has no legal meaning, but in countries like Spain, Italy, and Portugal, you can trust the label, thanks to their rules.