During the time that the wine remains in wood, it experiments a quiet and continuous development. The primary fruity flavours decrease and as the wine is aged, it builds up more complexity, mellowing and enhancing with differents aromas and flavours. This evolution is due to the contact with the wood itself on the one hand, and on the other, to the gradual oxygenation of the wine. This conveys a remarkable transformation that is going to depend on factors like the time spent in the barrel, the type of barrel and the environmental conditions in the wine cellar, among others. From the moment that the Rioja red wine is deposited in the oak barrel, the colour varies from the initial violet red to ruby red or brick red. In those white wines that are aged in wood, the colour turnos into golden yellow in the course of time. Image: VIÑA ALBINA Semi-sweet Reserva