get inside the swedish wine market it's very complicated. However, red wine Guimaro from Ribeira Sacra It has been introduced. Achieving, in addition, to be recognized as the best of the year by the magazine All about Vin. Do you want to know all the details of this Galician wine? We tell you.
The best wine of the year
the swedish magazine All about Vin has awarded a Galician wine as the best wine of the year. Its about Guimaro red wine from Ribeira Sacra of the 2020. This was achieved after the nomination by the best specialized journalists in the sector. They choose the best candidates and then choose the winner. All this in a gala prepared by the rreference review for oenophiles in Sweden.
That a Galician wine be recognized as the best wine of the year in a foreign country it is anecdotal. But it is even more so if you think that the Ribeira Sacra wines, practically, only if distributed by Spain. Only 10% of its production is traded internationally. “Sweden was one of the first countries to which we decided to export, after the United States and Japan. It is a market where it is not easy to enter. But nowadays it is among those that demand the most wine” explained Pedro Rodríguez, winemaker of the Guímaro red wine.
This is why the priority objective of this appellation of origin is the international market. And it is that the Adega Guímaro produces about 200.000 liters annually. of which you get half of your billing only from the countries to which it exports.
liquor store
In some Nordic countries the wine market is governed by a public retail monopoly. This is also the case in Sweden. There it is called liquor store. This regulation publishes every quarter to introduce new wines to the Swedish market. With the objective of guide domestic demand and world trends in the sector. "The final selection is made by a tasting panel in a blind tasting" details the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Stockholm.
The official has just explained the selection process adding that "the product that has the highest quality and corresponds to the profile described in the application is the one that is awarded the tender and that finally released”. Through this process, Mencía reds entered the Swedish monopoly ten years ago. When Pedro Rodríguez, encouraged by the international consultant Jorgen Gunnarson, presented its Galician wine. Systembolaget monitors the entry of brands that are in high demand on the Swedish market.
“Entering Sweden was a great satisfaction because there is a very high level of demand in the faces. These panels are also in charge of choosing Burgundy or Rhône wines”, points out the Ribeira Sacra winemaker. Once the Systembolaget has been passed, wineries can bring small consignments into Sweden for most elite shops. For example, Galician wine, Guímaro entered Sweden with its young red wine and, at present, trades with various brands. many of them specialized in estate wines aged in barrels.
More prizes
There are many trips that Pedro Rodríguez has made to Stockholm to make your wines known. However, his comings and goings have not been limited to this. Rodríguez's wines have achieved crowd of awards and we show you some of the most special.
- 1995: Prize at the Wine Fair of Amandi in Sober
- 1998: 3rd Prize at the International Mountain Wine Competition in Aosta-Italy
- 2000: 1st Mencía Prize at the Ribeira Sacra Wine Show
- 2001: Best Mencia at Feira do Vino de Sober
- 2005: Distinguished Gallecia: Mencia Barrica 03
- 2006: XVIII Galician Wine Tasting (silver award)
- 2009: Wine excellence: Mencia 2007
- 2010: XXII Galician Wine Tasting (bronze award)
- 2021: best wine of the year by swedish magazine All about Vin (gold medal)
From Ribera Sacra in Spain comes Guímaro Red Wine. A beautiful ruby in color with floral notes of violets and rich ripe brambles and raspberries on the nose. On the palate luscious with notes of blueberries, raspberries and cherries. Was €21.95, now €18.95 pic.twitter.com/HD1U7NYSnj
— Blackrock Cellar (@Joelfinebottles) September 12, 2018
Rodríguez has acknowledged that “You have to leave a mark. It's not worth coming and leaving it, it's a pick and shovel job”. The effort is recognized, either before or after. That is why these wines have managed to gain a foothold in international markets. As well as being recognized by the best awards and please the most exquisite palates. And you, have you already tried it?
