Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of August 7, 2026, from ICEX Spain Export and Investment, E.P.E., publishing the Agreement with the Inter-professional Organization of Spanish Wine (OIVE) |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | August 27, 2026 |
| Entry into force | August 7, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Spanish wineries, wine exporters and wine sector with interest in the Chinese market |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Year | 2026 |
| Reference framework agreement | ICEX-OIVE framework agreement of November 2024 for the international promotion of Spanish wine |
| Cost for participants | Free |
Spanish wine producers and exporters have a concrete opportunity to gain visibility in China without investing in their own training. ICEX and the Inter-professional Organization of Spanish Wine (OIVE) have formalized a specific agreement—published in the BOE on August 27, 2026 and in force since August 7—to execute two online training programs on Spanish wines aimed at the Chinese market, entirely in Mandarin Chinese.
The agreement is part of the framework agreement signed between both entities in November 2024 for the international promotion of Spanish wine, and represents its first operational implementation in the form of structured courses for China.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement defines two training programs with different target profiles:
| Program | Target audience | Maximum editions | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Wine Specialist | Wine industry professionals in China | Up to 2 editions | Online + in-person tastings | Free |
| Spanish Wine Trader Course | General public (consumers and enthusiasts) | Up to 24 editions | Online + in-person tastings | Free |
Both programs are taught entirely in Mandarin Chinese. The student profiles for the Spanish Wine Specialist—the course aimed at professionals—will be proposed directly by the Economic and Commercial Offices of Spain in China, ensuring that participants are high-value profiles for the industry: importers, distributors, sommeliers and opinion leaders in the sector.
The Spanish Wine Trader Course, with up to 24 editions planned, has a mass reach aimed at end consumers and the restaurant channel, seeking to create demand for Spanish wine among the Chinese middle and upper classes.
Economic and operational impact
China is one of the highest-potential markets for Spanish wine exports. This initiative has an indirect but strategic economic impact for the sector:
- Zero cost for wineries: The courses are free for participants. The investment is assumed by ICEX and OIVE jointly, with no direct impact on sector companies.
- Brand positioning at scale: With up to 26 editions, the program can reach hundreds or thousands of Chinese professionals and consumers who, after training, will be familiar with Spanish denominations, varieties and wineries.
- Access to qualified network: Spanish Wine Specialist students are selected by Spain's Commercial Offices in China, meaning that wineries that actively participate in promotion will have visibility with high-decision-making profiles (importers, distributors, prescribers).
- Online + in-person combination: In-person tastings associated with the courses generate direct experiences with the product, the most effective channel for building loyalty with Chinese consumers.
Who does it affect?
- Spanish wineries with active or potential exports to China.
- Exporters and distributors of Spanish wine operating in the Asian market.
- Designations of Origin and regulatory councils interested in increasing their presence in China.
- Wine sector associations linked to OIVE or collaborating with ICEX on external promotion.
- Commercial agents and consultants specialized in agri-food exports to Asian markets.
Practical example
A La Rioja winery interested in opening the Shanghai market lacks the capacity to organize Mandarin Chinese training on its own or to identify key distributors and importers in China. Through this agreement, Spain's Economic and Commercial Offices in China will select those professionals and train them in the Spanish Wine Specialist course. Upon completion, those participants will know the characteristics of Spanish wine, its denominations and varieties, and will be in a position to recommend, import or distribute Spanish wines.
The Rioja winery, without having invested a single euro in training or market prospecting, will have contributed to creating a network of qualified prescribers in China. If it also actively participates in the in-person tastings associated with the program, it can present its own wines directly to that selected audience.
What should companies do now?
- Contact ICEX or OIVE to learn about the edition schedule and participation criteria for in-person tastings associated with the courses.
- Identify your contact at Spain's Economic and Commercial Offices in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou): they are the ones who propose student profiles for the Spanish Wine Specialist and can facilitate direct contact with participants.
- Prepare presentation materials in Mandarin Chinese (product sheets, catalogs, tasting notes) to take advantage of the visibility opportunities generated by the program.
- Review your export strategy to China in the context of this agreement: if you don't yet have a presence in the Chinese market, this is the time to evaluate the channel with ICEX's institutional support.
- Follow the publication of calls derived from this agreement in the BOE and in the official channels of ICEX and OIVE.
Frequently asked questions
How many editions of Spanish wine courses in China are planned?
The ICEX-OIVE agreement provides for up to 2 editions of the Spanish Wine Specialist (aimed at industry professionals) and up to 24 editions of the Spanish Wine Trader Course (for general public and consumers), totaling a maximum of 26 editions.
Do these courses have a cost for wineries or for Chinese participants?
No. The courses are completely free for participants. Funding is provided by ICEX and OIVE under the specific agreement published on August 27, 2026.
Who selects the students for the Spanish Wine Specialist?
Student profiles for the Spanish Wine Specialist—the program aimed at professionals—are proposed by Spain's Economic and Commercial Offices in China. This ensures that participants are relevant profiles for the sector: importers, distributors, sommeliers and opinion leaders.
What language are the courses taught in and what format do they have?
Both programs are taught entirely in Mandarin Chinese. The format combines online training with in-person tastings, allowing both the scale of the digital channel and the direct sensory impact of the product.
What previous agreement is this agreement based on?
This specific agreement is part of the framework agreement signed between ICEX and OIVE in November 2024 for the international promotion of Spanish wine. The resolution publishing it was signed on August 7, 2026 and published in the BOE on August 27, 2026.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-18257
