Spain is the country with the highest wine diversity—An interview with Carlos Tortola, chief economic & commercial counselor of the Embassy of Spain Consulate General (Guangzhou)

This is a short interview by Fine Wine And Liquor magazine with Carlos Tortola, chief economic & commercial counselor of the Embassy of Spain Consulate General (Guangzhou).

 

Fine Wine And Liquor: If you use one word or a sentence to describe Spanish Wines, what is it?

Carlos Tortola: I use diversity, tradition and quality to describe Spanish wines.

Diversity

Spain is the country with the highest wine diversity in the world. It has 70 EU certified Wine Regions/Designations of Origin (Denominaciones de origen, D.O.), including 2 Qualified Designations of Origin and several wineries certified with for their quality as Vinos de Pago.

Moreover, Spain gathers a huge diversity of climates, ranging from mediterranean, atlantic, continental, semi-desert or sub-tropical climates, that reflects in the great diversity of our soils, that cover a wide spectrum such as alluvium, granitic, sandy or even volcanic soils, only to mention a few. In addition, Spanish wineries use multiple varieties of grapes to produce their wine, of which 600 are indigenous to Spain, also greatly contributing to the singularity of our wine.

Tradition

Spain is one of the oldest wine producers in the world, and it has developed an impressive heritage that not only sums up the centuries of expertise in creating wine, but also Spain is home to multiple old vines, vines with over 50 years of age that produce less quantity, but wine of the finest quality. Spain’s wine tradition is also perfectly combined with the most innovative wine producing techniques in the world.

Quality

Spain is the country with the largest area of vineyards in the world, and the 3rd biggest producer, as it puts a focus in the quality over the quantity of production. The huge diversity of Spain’s wine production sector has resulted in a race in which multiple family-owned wineries compete using tradition and innovation as tools to achieve some of the finest wines in the world.

 

Fine Wine And Liquor: How is the export of Spanish wines to China in recent years?

Carlos Tortola: Spain is the 3rd wine exporter to China just after Australia and France. The data shows that the quantity of liters of Spanish wine imported by China has increased a 45% in the year 2017 and by 210% since 2013. As the refined Chinese wine consumer is discovering more and more of the Spanish wine quality and diversity, we expect that the volume should continue to increase in the oncoming years.

 

Fine Wine And Liquor: As we know that, there are some famous wine regions in Spain like Rioja. At the same time, there are some unknown wine regions that are producing good wines in Spain. For your opinion, how should those good but unknown wines to be promoted in China?

Carlos Tortola: Spain is the land of the wine, in addition to the most famous Wine Regions, such as Rioja or Ribera del Duero, we have, as stated previously, the highest diversity of quality Certified Wine Regions.

As the Chinese consumers discover more they will be aware of the particularities of each Region and find out that there is a perfect Spanish Wine for every occasion. We believe that events such as the Spanish Open Days organized by ICEX and the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Guangzhou help promote these wines, that are already famous in Europe and USA, among more Chinese Wine Lovers.