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The Spanish appellation Rioja continues to be influenced by the globally declining wine consumption. In 2025, a total of 312 million bottles were sold, representing a decrease of 4.5 percent compared to the previous year. The decline was particularly pronounced in the export business, which fell by 6.7 percent overall.
The main sales markets developed weaker: In the UK – traditionally about a third of all Rioja exports – sales fell by just over 13 percent. The USA (−7.6 %) and Switzerland (−10 %) also recorded significant losses.
Despite the negative overall figures, there is a clear shift towards higher-quality wines within the region. Gran Reserva wines, in particular, performed positively: In the Spanish domestic market, they increased by 16 percent, while they achieved international growth of 6.9 percent. Crianza wines also saw an increase of 4.2 percent. The figures reflect a trend: overall, less wine is consumed, but customers are increasingly opting for wines from the premium segment.
Structurally, Rioja remains strongly positioned. According to current data, over 39 percent of all Spanish DO wine exports now come from the region – a historic high. Rioja also holds a leading position domestically, with a share of around 38 percent of total wine consumption compared to other designations of origin.
At the same time, Spain is responding to the overall weaker demand with market-stabilizing strategies. The government has approved a state-funded "Green Harvest" for the fourth consecutive time, where a portion of the grapes is removed before ripening to avoid overproduction. A budget of 15.9 million euros is available for this purpose. The goal is to balance supply and demand and limit price and income pressure for winemakers.
(ru – Image: Regulating Council DOCa Rioja)
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