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- Rioja sales plummet, neighbouring appellations soar?!?
http://www.decanter.com/news/277340.html
I found this a strange, but fascinating article.
"Rioja sales fell by up to 15% in 2008, with Rias Baixas and Castilla-La Mancha reporting marked increases in sales.
According to statistics released by DOC Rioja's regulatory board, sales of Gran Reserva in 2008 fell by 14.7%, with Reserva falling 10.4%, and Crianza down 5.3%. Overall, sales of Rioja wine were down 7.5%. "
So why is Rioja sucking when Rias Baixas is doing so well?
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1738 - Reply by Gregory Dal Piaz, Feb 22.
Rias Baixas is Albarino Country and besides being one of the "it" whites last summer they spent a ton of dough on promotional materials over the past 2 years. I was included in a video presentation they prepared 2 years ago as a seling tool. They also started from a small base so while they're sales are way up total sales are still markedly less than Rioja.
Castilla-La Mancha, Spain's most prolific region, is the source of much of the cheaper wines that have quickly gained a foothold in this country.Until recently these wine's were pretty provincial but recent advances have sort of internationalized many wines of the region which accounts for their new found appeal.
I think a lot of the drop off in Rioja sales has to do with the rise in quality at still very affordable prices that has taken place throughout Spain.
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759 - Reply by RBoulanger, Feb 24.
It seems like the high-end Rioja has been hurt the most.
I think this is because many wine drinkers are no longer into the old "sopa de roble" aged to death orange-rimmed style of many traditional Gran Reservas and Reservas. It's up to the new wave of Rioja producers who make wines in a more international style to win these consumers back. At the same time, Rioja may have a hard time justifying its price premium when Navarra, Jumilla, Toro, and the 2 regions profiled above, offer such great values.
Still - last week-end I had a 2004 Rioja Crianza that I picked up in a shop in Boston with my hosts for the Oscars for just $12.99 - it was fantastic delivering at least $20 if not $25 quality. It's amazing what an older, developed bottle can bring every now and again...
