(TheDrinksBusiness) - Despite increased listings, outside of the Spanish restaurant scene Spanish wines are still not well represented in the on-trade.

Ribera del Duero and Albariño have appeared in increasing numbers to challenge Rioja’s dominance in recent years but the number of other Spanish regions being listed is still very limited.

Maria José Sévilla, director of Wines from Spain, spoke positively about Spain’s progress: “It appears that in the last year or so, Spain has improved its on-trade position,” she said.

“It’s wonderful these days to see Albariño, new Riojas or expensive ones, white Riojas and also Riberas increasingly, they were so difficult to find before.”

However, sommelier consultant Bruno Murciano told the drinks business that this was not enough: “What I’ve seen in the past four to five years is that most restaurants have a very limited amount of Spanish wines,” he reported.

“Classics, such as Albariño and maybe, if you’re lucky, Verdejo and Godelhos.

“In my opinion Spain is not well represented at all particularly in whites. There’s still a lot of work to do.”