The excellent quality of its wines, as well as its wide variety within the region itself, consolidate Rioja as the leading Designation of Origin in Spain year after year. The data supports this: according to the Nielsen IQ report, presented in May of this year (which contains data from 2022), the DOCa Rioja accounts for 27.5% of the total sales volume of DO wine in Spain, having take into account both the hospitality and food channels.
This means that Rioja doubles the consumption share of the next Denomination, standing at 13.9%. By color, Rioja red wine is the undisputed king: Rioja sales volume stands at 38.5% of the total market share.
Furthermore, Rioja is the only DO among the top ten in Spain that increased the sales volume of whites. Rioja rosés are not far behind: they were the ones that grew the most in sales in 2022.
According to the latest report by the consulting firm Wine Intelligence, Rioja is the most recognized Denomination in Spain among consumers and the one most associated with quality wines. Outside our borders, Rioja wines are also a benchmark: they are the most exported in Spain, in fact, more than 40% of DOCa Rioja sales are made outside Spain, where you can find their extensive portfolio of wines in 136 countries.
Rioja is one of the designations of origin in the world that offers the greatest controls on quality and authenticity. For example, it is one of the few DOs in the world that requires bottling at origin.
Proof of its constant self-demand is the implementation of different tools and initiatives whose objective is to continue increasing the quality of Rioja wine more and more. An example of this is the new Tasting Panel developed by the Regulatory Council of the DOCa, which consists of the implementation of a new and advanced sensory quality control methodology for the wines of the Denomination, or the DATADOC project, which applies the latest technologies and R&D in viticulture to increase quality standards within the Denomination with special focus on sustainability and monitoring climate change.
But in addition to its quality, Rioja entails a rich diversity, also a fundamental pillar of its success: with more than 600 wineries and a multitude of climates, soils and grapes, there is a great variety of wines, which is why Rioja is known for its 100 kilometers of diversity or as ‘the land of a thousand and one wines’. Rosés, whites, sparkling wines, from Municipio, from Singular Vineyards… the diversity of Rioja, always with the common denominator of the highest quality, is capable of satisfying both the taste of consumers who are approaching wine for the first time, as well as the concerns and preferences of the most expert and demanding tasters and wine lovers. That is why it is said that there is a Rioja for every person and occasion.
This diversity of Rioja can also be seen when setting foot in the Denomination: it is the most visited in Spain, leader both in number of visitors -748,000 in 2022- and in activities and plans to be carried out, since on average, the wineries de Rioja offer three different experiences to enjoy as a couple, with family or with friends.
Whether wine fans or not, more and more people are coming to discover the culture of Rioja, its wines, landscapes and plans. In this way, uncorking a Rioja means for many uncovering memories lived in the region, or giving free rein to the desire to get to know it soon.
