Familia Torres, the Most Admired Wine Brand in the World

pain's wine sector can make a toast because there's good news regarding the prestige they enjoy among wine drinkers. Drinks International has published the Most Admired Wine Brands ranking. In this year's edition, the list is led by Familia Torres, and it’s the seventh time the producer has taken the top spot. There were also two other Spanish wineries among the top 10, and seven more in the top 50.

Familia Torres has vines and wineries in Penedès DO, Conca de Barberà DO, Priorat DOCa, and Costers del Segre DO (all in Catalonia), where they focus on making small batches of wine from outstanding vineyards and historic estates and recovering ancestral grape varieties to adapt to climate change.

The list includes nine other Spanish wineries. Number 6 is Bodegas Vega Sicilia, which is well-known for producing high-end wines in Ribera del Duero DO, although it also has vineyards in Rioja DOCa and Toro DO. Another Rioja winery, CVNE, came in 9th. CVNE has been run by the same family since its foundation in 1879.

In 11th place is another bodega in Rioja, La Rioja Alta, with four wineries (two in Rioja, one in Rias Baixas and another in Ribera del Duero) and more than 125 years of experience. Coming in at 19 is Bodegas Faustino, which has more than 160 years of experience and is also located in Rioja.

Spain's presence on the list continues with another winery from Rioja, Marqués de Riscal, which ranks 33rd. This producer has been in the business since 1858 and produces wines in Rioja as well as in Rueda DO and under the geographical indication Castilla y León VT. One position below (34th) is Ramón Bilbao, which was founded in 1924 and is based in the historic Rioja town of Haro. Another well-known Rioja winery is Campo Viejo, which took 40th place and was one of the first wineries to commit to sustainability by reducing its carbon footprint.

The highest new entry, Bodega Perelada, came in at 43rd and has been making its wines around the Perelada Castle in the Catalan region of Empordà DO for more than a century. It also produces cava under the Cava DO and has associated wineries in other areas, such as Rioja, Priorat, and Navarra DO. Coming in last, at 50, is Bodegas Protos. Founded in 1927, it was the first winery in Ribera del Duero (the DO after which one of its wines was named) and also has a winery in Rueda.

How the world's most admired brands are chosen

The World's Most Admired Wine Brand is voted for by a hand-picked academy of sommeliers, buyers, wholesalers, Masters of Wine, and writers. The experts vote considering the following criteria: the quality and consistency of the wine, the price to quality ratio, the strength of the branding and marketing. Other factors such as sustainability and corporate responsibility also play a significant role.

 “Each year our Academy pool grows stronger and I firmly believe it's the most authoritative collection of independent wine experts in the trade,” said Drinks International editor Shay Waterworth.

“Earning a place on this prestigious list is therefore a serious achievement and I personally congratulate those in our top 50 this year. It’s particularly impressive to see Familia Torres return to the top for an incredible seventh time.”