D.O.Ca. Rioja has once again solidified its position as Spain’s benchmark appellation by achieving record-breaking results in the newly released Peñín Wine Guide 2026, the country’s most influential wine rating system.
According to data published by the guide, Rioja stands at the top of the national ranking with 1,104 wines selected, more than any other region and the highest number ever recorded for Rioja in the history of the Peñín Guide. These results highlight the appellation’s dual leadership in both quality and diversity across the 9,450 wines evaluated from 128 Spanish wine-growing areas.
Rioja also led in overall performance:
- 723 wines scored 90 points or higher, accounting for nearly 70% of all its selected wines—an outstanding indicator of consistent excellence.
- 80 wines achieved 95 points or above, a 27% increase over the previous edition, demonstrating continuous improvement in quality.
The Peñín Guide further emphasized Rioja’s stylistic diversity, with top-performing wines across all categories. Of the 1,104 selected wines:
- 817 were red wines,
- 232 white wines,
- 55 rosé or sparkling wines.
This reflects Rioja’s strength not only in its traditional reds but also in its evolving range of whites and other emerging styles.
Two Rioja Wines Achieve Perfect Scores
Among only eight wines awarded a perfect 100 points in the entire guide, two are from Rioja—underscoring the region’s unmatched capacity for producing world-class wines:
- Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva 2012 – Marqués de Murrieta
- La Condenada 2023 – Artuke Bodegas y Viñedos
These two flagship wines represent the pinnacle of winemaking and highlight Rioja’s ability to seamlessly blend tradition with innovation.
In its closing remarks, the Peñín team praised Rioja’s exceptional results as a reflection of its diverse terroirs, versatile grape varieties, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by its producers. The region continues to strike a remarkable balance between classic and contemporary styles, age-worthy depth and immediate drinkability.
