Storm clouds gather over Rioja

There are two crises that are affecting Spain’s most renowned wine region: the first is financial and the second, climatic. We take a quick look at the major issues affecting the region, before explaining how Long Wines is well positioned to deal with both.

 

The good news, if you can call it that, is that 2024 looks to be less affected by drought and heat than the previous vintages. After two hot years, when the vines suffered hydric stress, 2024 has seen some rainfall and cooler temperatures, and as such the cycle is running about two weeks behind last year. So, the harvest is looking likely to fall on more traditional dates: a more “Riojan” or “Atlantic” vintage as it is sometimes described.

 

But climate change continues to cause more instability and extreme weather patterns, with rainfall falling in heavy storms. Whereas in the past, snow was common in winter, this year saw mild temperatures in February with vineyards starting to bud early.  Frost then hit the region from the 18th to the 24th April, damaging shoots and affecting around 5,000 ha of vineyards, mainly in the Rioja Alta and Alavesa areas.  Hail and heavy storms hit crops around Ausejo in Rioja Oriental on the 18th May, followed by further more widespread storms on the 29th June 2024.

 

Therefore, the vines have suffered a lot of flowering issues. Older clones of Garnacha in particular are very susceptible to coulure and millerandage and breezy, rainy weather in spring is likely to cause low  yields  in Rioja Oriental, as well as Campo de Borja and other parts of Aragon.

 

As for the financial crisis, demand continues to fall for Rioja wines. In 2023, the region experienced a 5% drop in global sales compared to 2022. Exports were hit hard with a fall of 7% in volume. Although Ireland (+10%) and Belgium (+5%) saw a rise in sales, exports fell to other key markets such as the UK (-6%), Germany (-10%) and the USA (-16%).

 

An interesting trend is the diversification in styles with white wines from the region seeing growth of 7% by volume. Long Wines works with suppliers across this vast region to cover all styles from young, fresh and fruity whites, reds and rosés to classic oak aged Crianzas and Reservas as well as distinctive Single Vineyard styles.

 

The Regulatory Council has put in measures to try to balance supply and demand; cutting maximum yields for reds by 10% for this vintage. It is still too early to know what exactly the 2024 harvest will bring, but at the current moment with high stock levels across the region, it’s definitely a good time to buy.

 

Speak to our team if you are interested in sourcing great value-for-money Riojas from across the region.