Marques de Riscal "Harmony of Tradition and Innovation, the Secret to 150 Years at the Top"

Jose Muguiro, Marques de Riscal Owner Interview

Spain's Top Rioja Winery Established in 1858
Old Vine Tempranillo, Strength in Long-Term Aging
Certified Organic to Align with Eco-Friendly Trends

"The harmony of tradition and innovation is the secret that has allowed the winery representing Spain and the Rioja region to maintain its position as a top-tier producer for over 150 years."

Jose Luis Muguiro, owner of Marqu?s de Riscal, is being interviewed by Asia Economy.

Jose Luis Muguiro, owner of Marqu?s de Riscal, emphasized in an interview with Asia Economy on the 10th that the core effort to be recognized as the best winery symbolizing Spain is to pursue a harmony of tradition and innovation.

Marqu?s de Riscal is one of the oldest wineries in the Rioja region of Spain, established in 1858 by Guillermo Hurtado de Am?zaga. Marqu?s de Riscal is famous for being the first to introduce French Bordeaux grape varieties to the Rioja region and for producing high-quality wines by incorporating Bordeaux winemaking techniques. Currently, it cultivates grapes such as the representative Tempranillo, as well as Graciano, Mazuelo, Verdejo, and Sauvignon Blanc, across 1,500 hectares (ha) of vineyards.

CEO Muguiro stated that Marqu?s de Riscal, as the oldest winery in Rioja, has some of the most outstanding vineyards in the region, which forms the fundamental basis for producing top-quality wines. He explained, "The clay soil with limestone at Marqu?s de Riscal is suitable for producing grapes with high acidity and good tannin structure," adding, "Tempranillo grown on this land is recognized for its aging potential that surpasses even Cabernet Sauvignon." Marqu?s de Riscal also holds the largest number of old vines (vines over 30 years old) in the region.

The precise and delicate winemaking know-how accumulated over more than 150 years is also a competitive advantage that allows continuous production of high-quality wines. He said, "The exact harvest date, grape handling during harvest, management of extracts, and control of the fermentation process all influence the development of the intrinsic characteristics of the grapes," and "this series of processes provides the background for Tempranillo to maintain a harmonious balance between structure, color, and acidity."

The flagship product, 'Marqu?s de Riscal Reserva'

Marqu?s de Riscal is also keeping pace with the recent trend in the wine industry where 'eco-friendliness' is a key topic by producing organic wines. Previously, the vineyards in the Rueda region underwent a three-year conversion period and obtained organic certification in 2018. CEO Muguiro said that the decision to convert was made because they judged that organic wine offers significant benefits to consumers. He stated, "Organic wines have no pesticide residues and use much less sulfur dioxide, preserving more of the grape's original aroma," adding, "It is intended to provide consumers with a more natural and authentic experience while demonstrating responsibility toward the environment."

CEO Muguiro explained that the diversification of domestic wine distribution channels and the high level of consumer knowledge are reasons to watch the Korean market with interest despite recent stagnation. He evaluated, "Compared to my first visit to Korea in 2012, there seems to have been a change in supplying wine to consumers through various channels," and "Above all, it is impressive that not only sommeliers but also general consumers have a high level of knowledge about grape varieties and production regions, which suggests great potential for market development." Marqu?s de Riscal, officially imported by HiteJinro, has continued its growth trend, with domestic sales increasing by 34% over the past three years until last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.