Spanish wine sales are increasing, and the industry can thank the United States' young drinkers for that.

Recently, the Spanish Embassy held a wine tasting function in Washington featuring over 200 different kinds of wine. At the event, Katrin Naelapaa, director of Wines from Spain (part of the Spanish Trade Commission) told EFE that these increasing sales "will drive them into the future."

"The youngest segment, the Millennial generation, is the one that drives wine sales," Naelapaa said. "It is drinking much more of them than previous generations."

Apparently, it's the desire to both try something new and be hip that has young drinkers helping Spanish wines become popular. According to Naelapaa, these patrons "are curious and want to buy the latest thing that none of their friends know about." And it's working. According to EFE, Spain is the biggest producer of wine in the world as of 2013.

"It's an excellent moment," Naelapaa continued. "For several years now a radical change has been observed in the acceptance of wine on the American market."

In fact, Spanish wine imports to the United States rose 11 percent in 2013. According to Naelapaa, this success is because Americans know that these wines offer "quality for their price." This quality, she argued, is seen in all wines, whether they're priced at $10, $50 or $100. Naelapaa did admit, however, that the cost of Spanish wine is not as pocket-friendly as it used to be.

"Around 30 years ago, Spanish wine was considered cheap," she said. "That idea no longer exists, but rather that at whatever price, it offers more quality that its competitor from Italy, France or California."

The director is not the only one who sees the Spanish wine trend growing.

"Seven or eight years ago, Spanish wine was an unknown quantity. First there was the comfort factor. People are familiar with Merlot and Cabernet, but they aren't inclined to order a Rioja or Garnacha," Andrew Switzer, sales rep for Richmond's Christopher Stewart Wine and Spirits (which carries wine from 14 countries), told Richmond-News. "They were making over-oaked, oxidized wines. It's the most revolutionary change in the history of winemaking. ... Spain is the best region to go and experience drinking world-class wine for under $16."
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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