laliga wine partner
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

A Spanish wine brand owned by China’s biggest wine producer Changyu is set to become the official wine provider of LaLiga.

This story first appeared on DecanterChina.com.

LaLiga, the top level of Spain’s professional football league, announced last week that Marques del Atrio of China’s Changyu group is to become its official wine until June 2019.

LaLiga hosts a number of the world’s top footballing teams including Real Madrid and Barcelona, and players such as Barca’s Andrés Iniesta have started their own wine companies.

Marques del Atrio is a Navarra-based Spanish wine producing company. Changyu Pioneer Wine, China’s biggest wine producer, purchased a 75% share in November 2015.

After the purchase, Marques del Atrio wines now account for 11% of imported Spanish wine sold in China, according to Changyu.

By promoting its Spanish range to the ‘2.1 billion potential viewers’ of LaLiga matches, Changyu aims to further boost the sales of its imported wine range in China while promoting its own brand abroad.

‘Our target is to make Marques del Atrio the top Spanish wine brand in China,’ said SUN Jian, vice president of Changyu, which has its head quarter in Shandong province.

‘Our aim is to expand our brand and this partnership with Marques del Atrio is strategic,’ said Adolfo Bara, LaLiga’s managing director of sales, marketing and sponsorship, ‘given that it’s a gateway into the Chinese market and will further cement our position in Spain thanks to one of the world’s biggest wine groups.’

With the Chinese wine producer gaining more brand exposure in the international market, ‘we hope more global consumers will in turn recognise and enjoy Chinese wines,’ said WANG Qi, vice president of China Alcoholic Drinks Association.

Marques de Atrio was established in 19th century. The company currently produces ‘20 million bottles’ of wines annually, including D.O.C. Rioja, D.O. Navarra and D.O. Rias-Baixas. The winemaking is overseen by the Rivero Family.

Wolf Blass Manchester City deal

Wolf Blass Manchester City deal agreed.
(Image credit: Wolf Blass)

Wolf Blass joins Pep Guardiola at Manchester City

Nike Pirlo, football boots

Nike's 'Tiempo Pirlo' boots are the 'colour of Merlot'...
(Image credit: Nike)

Nike creates wine themed football boots for Italy’s Andrea Pirlo

Nike pays tribute to Pirlo, Italian midfield maestro..

Arsenal, Santa Rita

Living La Vida 120 at the Arsenal football ground
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Arsenal Football Club takes on Viña Santa Rita as first wine partner

Chile’s Viña Santa Rita has signed a three-year partnership deal with Arsenal Football Club...

Aleksandr Korokin, euro 2016

Aleksandr Korokin was part of Russia's Euro 2016 team, which failed to emerge from the group stage after losing to both Slovakia and Wales.
(Image credit: Dennis Grombkowski / Getty Images)

Russian footballers in Euro 2016 punished over Champagne party

Players deny wrongdoing, but clubs see it differently...

Sir Alex Ferguson, fine wine

Sir Alex Ferguson has 800 bottles of wine in his garage.
(Image credit: Wikipedia / Austin Osuide)

Decanter Interview: Sir Alex Ferguson on wine

With 26 years as manager of Manchester United Football Club, it's only natural that Fergie's preferences in wine are steadfastly

josé mourinho wine, alex ferguson, manchester united

José Mourinho will be able to enjoy fine wine with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
(Image credit: Leon Neal / Getty)

José Mourinho to renew wine bond with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United

Explore More
Sylvia Wu
Editor, Decanter China & Regional Editor - Asia and Northern & Eastern Europe
Sylvia Wu is Decanter's Regional Editor for Asia and Northern & Eastern Europe. She also works as the Editor of Decanter China platforms, overseeing Decanter’s China-focused editorial operation.