Desperately seeking taste/pairing advise

[wondersofwine]

Firts KJ, welcome to the board.

This is from thewinedoctor.com (full credit to that source):

Spain has a similar classification system to France and Italy, with all classified wine regions regulated under the Denominación de Origen (DO) system. Red wines are often labelled as Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva. In Rioja and the Ribera del Duero, Crianza wines are two years old, with at least twelve months spent in cask (elsewhere the oak ageing may legally be restricted to just six months). Reservas are three years old (at least one year in cask), Gran Reservas five years old (two in cask, three in bottle).

If you are familiar with Rioja wines in general, the Crianza is just at a higher level of aging and sees more exposure to oak barrels. I would be more likely to pair it with beef or lamb than with turkey but you could have it available and let the diners choose. Or sample one bottle ahead of time (since you received several bottles) and see what you think.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 11-14-2006).]