Therefore, wine lovers in this small South American nation are accustomed to obtaining their wine either from Chile or Argentina, or of course from countries like France, Spain, and other European nations.
Perhaps that's why the consumption of this beverage was limited to high-income groups here.
But apparently, this trend is starting to change. Wine consumption has begun to cease being a luxury and is becoming a daily habit. According to a recent article in the Quito newspaper El Comercio, the taste for wine is growing among Ecuadorians. In fact, several local brands have established themselves in both domestic and international markets, with considerable success. According to this newspaper, although the Ecuadorian market is small, per capita wine consumption has shown a marked increase over the past ten years. Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca are the main Ecuadorian cities where wine is increasingly enjoyed with meals and even at gatherings.
This increase in consumption goes hand in hand with the cultivation of more and better Ecuadorian wines. Several wine enthusiasts have taken risks and, advised by foreign and local experts, have rolled up their sleeves to start producing Ecuadorian wines from their own harvests. One of these brands is "Dos Hemisferios," whose wine has already received nine international awards. The five brands of this company (Paradox, Mist, Enigma, Del Morro, and Cruise) have also been recognized for their quality by wine experts in blind tastings.
Alongside the production of wine in the country, the offer and diversity of foreign brands have also grown. The main cities, Quito and Guayaquil, can boast of having the best wines in their restaurants, as well as specialized vendors and increasingly knowledgeable staff in stores. Additionally, the "Cofradía del Vino" was founded in 2002 with the aim of educating people about wine and wine consumption.
