What type of wine is typically characterized by red fruit and vanilla flavors from oak, and originates from Spain?

The choice of Rioja as the correct answer is based on its distinctive characteristics that align with the question’s description. Rioja is a renowned wine region in Spain that typically produces red wines known for their rich flavors of red fruits, such as cherries and strawberries, along with notable vanilla notes derived from oak aging. The use of American oak barrels is particularly common in the traditional production of Rioja, contributing to the vanilla and spice nuances that complement the fruit flavors.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while a prestigious French wine, is more commonly associated with functionality for red and dark fruit flavors, and the terroir of the southern Rhône rather than the oak-derived vanilla that characterizes Rioja. Sauternes, primarily a sweet white wine from Bordeaux, does not fit the profile at all as it is known for its honey, apricot, and botrytis-derived flavors. Sherry is fortified wine from Spain, primarily known for its unique range of styles including dry and sweet variants, but it does not share the red fruit and vanilla characteristics typically attributed to red Rioja wines.