If you feel like you’ve been through this before, it’s because you have. In 2019, a 25% tariff on European wines landed like an uninvited guest at a dinner party—except instead of eating all the cheese, it sent wine prices soaring and shook up the industry.

Now, we’re on the brink of another tariff battle, and once again, wine lovers, retailers, and restaurants are left wondering:

• Will my favorite wines become outrageously expensive?
• Will wine lists shrink down to “house red” and “house white”?
• Is there any way to avoid the hit and still drink great wine?

Spoiler alert: Yes. And we’ll get to that. But first, let’s talk about why this is happening and why it matters.

Why Tariffs Are Making Your Wine More Expensive (Again)

Let’s break it down: A tariff is just a fancy word for “extra tax” that the government slaps on imported goods. The idea is to encourage people to buy domestic or to put pressure on foreign countries during trade negotiations.

But here’s the problem: When a tariff hits imported wine, you pay for it. The extra cost moves through the entire supply chain like an annoying game of hot potato.

• Importers pay more to bring the wine in.
• Distributors pass those costs along to retailers and restaurants.
• Retailers and restaurants either charge you more or carry less selection.
• You either pay more per bottle, or you miss out on your favorite wines entirely.
  

During the 2019 tariff debacle, some wine prices jumped by 20-30% overnight (Wine Spectator, 2020). The result?

• A billion-dollar loss in revenue for the wine industry (Wine Business Monthly, 2021).
• A decline in imported wine sales (NielsenIQ, 2021).
• A lot of sad wine lovers paying more for their favorite bottles.

Now, as discussions around new tariffs heat up, experts predict we could see another 20-50% increase on European wines (U.S. Wine Trade Alliance, 2024).

Which means, if you love Spanish wines like Ribera del Duero and Rueda, now is the time to pay attention.

Ribera del Duero & Rueda: The Smart Wine Buyer’s Play

Ribera del Duero: The Best Red Wine You’re Probably Not Collecting (Yet)

Ribera del Duero is home to some of the most powerful, age-worthy Tempranillos in the world. Think of it as Spain’s answer to Bordeaux, except instead of paying $100+ a bottle, you can still snag a top-tier Ribera for under $50.

Even during the 2019 tariff crisis, demand for premium Ribera wines stayed strong (Decanter, 2020). Why? Because serious wine drinkers know a deal when they see one.

• Premium wines tend to be less affected by tariff-driven sales drops (Rabobank, 2021).
• Wine collectors and sommeliers doubled down on Ribera instead of Bordeaux and Napa (NielsenIQ, 2021).
• Restaurants leaned into Ribera del Duero as a “value luxury” alternative (Wine Business Monthly, 2022).

If tariffs return, Ribera del Duero is still one of the best investments in the wine world.

If you like:

• Bordeaux reds but not Bordeaux prices.
• Aging wines that get better with time.
• Big, structured reds with serious depth.

Then stock up now before prices climb, if they do for Spain.

Rueda Verdejo: The White Wine That Outsmarted Tariffs

Sancerre lovers, pay attention. Rueda’s Verdejo is the ultimate alternative to those crisp, citrusy, mineral-driven French whites—at half the price.

When Sancerre prices soared during the last tariff cycle, importers, sommeliers, and consumers all turned to Verdejo instead (Drinks Business, 2021).

• Verdejo sales increased in the U.S. as sommeliers replaced pricier French options (Spanish Wine Federation, 2022).
• Retailers saw Verdejo become a go-to for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers (Wine Market Council, 2022).
• Consumers discovered it delivers the same elegance as Sancerre, for less (Wine Enthusiast, 2023).

If tariffs hit again, expect history to repeat itself. If you’re smart, you’ll get ahead of the curve.

How to Keep Drinking Great Wine Without Paying Tariff Prices

If you want to stay ahead of the game, follow these strategies:

1. Buy Before the Price Hikes Hit

• If you hear rumblings about tariffs, don’t wait—retailers will adjust prices quickly.
• Stock up on Ribera del Duero and Rueda wines before the market reacts.

2. Shift to Tariff-Proof Wines

• Instead of Bordeaux, look at Ribera del Duero.
• Instead of Sancerre, go for Rueda Verdejo.
• Instead of Napa Cabernet, explore Spanish alternatives like Toro or Priorat.

3. Buy From Retailers With Strong Importer Relationships

• Some specialty wine shops work directly with Spanish wineries, absorbing some of the cost.
• Check with independent retailers—they often have access to smaller-production wines that dodge major price hikes.

4. Support Local Wine Shops & Restaurants

• Chain stores will adjust pricing based on tariffs, but local shops often have more flexibility.
• Restaurants may offer by-the-glass specials to highlight value wines like Ribera and Rueda.

5. If You Collect Wine, Invest in Age-Worthy Bottles Now

• Ribera del Duero’s Gran Reserva wines are built to last—and they’re still undervalued compared to Bordeaux.
• Buy now, cellar them, and watch them appreciate in value.

What’s Next? The Future of Wine Tariffs

Trade negotiations are still in flux, and industry leaders are pushing to prevent tariffs from returning (Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, 2024).

But if history tells us anything, it’s that wine lovers who act early and adapt smartly will always come out ahead.

Your Move:

• Stock up now before tariffs hit.
• Explore Spanish wines that deliver better value than their overpriced counterparts.
• Stay informed—because the best wine buyers always stay ahead of the curve.

Here are the links to the sources referenced in the article:

• Forbes: How Wine Tariffs Are Changing the Market
• Bon Appétit: The Return of Wine Tariffs in 2024
• Wine Tariffs: What Retailers Need to Know
• Decanter (2020): “Trump victory puts wine tariffs back in spotlight” decanter.com
• Rabobank (2021): “Rabobank Wine Quarterly Q1 2021” vinpro.co.za
• NielsenIQ (2021): Specific data from NielsenIQ’s 2021 reports on wine sales and consumer behavior are proprietary and may not be publicly accessible. For detailed insights, consider visiting their official website:
• Wine Business Monthly (2022): “Tariffs On Wine Hurt American Businesses”
  winespectator.com
• Drinks Business (2021): Specific articles from The Drinks Business in 2021 discussing the impact of tariffs on wine imports may require a subscription. Their official website offers access to various reports:
• Spanish Wine Federation (2022): While specific 2022 reports may not be directly accessible, the Spanish Wine Federation’s official website provides a range of publications and data:
• Wine Enthusiast (2023): “How China’s tariffs on Australian wine changed the market landscape” theiwsr.com
• U.S. Wine Trade Alliance (2024): For the latest updates and reports from the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance, please visit their official website: