In 2025, approximately 9.8m hl of wine were consumed in Spain, accompanied by slightly falling prices when adjusted for inflation.
This growth may be linked to record-breaking tourism figures. According to estimates from the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), foreign tourists account for 15 to 20% of total domestic consumption. However, the Spanish wine market recorded a 2.8% decline in sales within the HoReCa channel last year, while food retail saw an uptick—suggesting a possible trend toward "budget tourism."
The slight increase in wine sales coincides with inflation-adjusted price decreases of 1.1% for DOP wines (average price €5.08/l) and 0.4% for sparkling wine, where the price level remains significantly above €7/l. In contrast, IGP wines and table wines saw modest price gains. Sales volume grew most notably for white wine, which now represents 40% of domestic consumption.
Bulk wine as an Achilles' heel
Spain currently maintains a wine trade surplus of €2.8bn. Sentiment within the Spanish wine industry is better than elsewhere. However, the export business is dominated by bulk wine—consequently regarded as the "Achilles' heel" of the entire wine sector, which generates only about one-third of its sales domestically and two-thirds through exports.
In this segment, the export staple of base wine for sparkling wine is suffering particularly from the current extremely low prices for German bulk wine; Spain is losing market share in Germany as a result. On the other hand, French interest in Spanish red varietal wines remains unbroken, especially regarding international varieties such as Cabernet and Merlot.
"Essentially, the international grapes destined for the Spanish bulk wine market are primarily grown for French buyers," says Rudolf Beck, wine broker at Select Wines. Regarding bottled wine exports, the industry is looking at the US market with some concern, as it leads the list of the most important export markets for bottled wines. Approximately €500m is generated here annually.
"Essentially, the international grapes destined for the Spanish bulk wine market are primarily grown for French buyers."
Golden Godello
The trends and impulses driving the production side are exceptionally diverse, making it difficult even for experts of the Spanish wine scene to fully grasp the entire spectrum of activity. Many interesting and innovative projects with very limited quantities can only be tasted at trade fairs or within wine-focused gastronomy. This small-scale dynamism is found in both large and small appellations, as well as at the IGP and table wine levels.
The "cool north"—specifically Galicia along with neighboring northwestern Castilla y León—remains on trend. However, not all of Galicia is faring the same. For instance, the red Mencía wines from Ribeira Sacra are praised by critics, yet demand has been stagnant for years.
The current winner among the appellations is no longer the Albariño DO Rías Baixas, whose growth curve has suffered a dip, but rather Valdeorras. Following rapid growth and numerous new plantings in Rías Baixas, the highest grape prices on the Spanish mainland are, for now, a thing of the past. Last year, production exceeded demand for the first time.
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