Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/288975
96 / the tasting panel / april 2014 Rueda on the Rise D on't get a nosebleed next time you sip a glass of cool, refreshing white wine from Rueda. Led by its icon varietal—Verdejo—this once-unknown region in north-central Spain is continuing its long rocket ride up the sales charts, leaving producers, importers, retailers and beverage managers practically gasping for air. Twenty-five years ago, 1990 worldwide sales of Rueda wines were about 4.5 million bottles. In 2012, global sales had risen to 69.6 million bottles, up almost 7 million from the previous year. The United States follows only Spain, the Netherlands and Germany in its consumption of Rueda, importing 1.14 million bottles in 2012 from 40 different producers. While Rueda is not yet threatening Rías Baixas's Albariño (over 2.5 million bottles in the U.S.) for top Spanish white wine supremacy, it is certainly nipping at its heels. "Not having the 2013 figures yet, the forecast is for Rueda to grow by 15 to 20 percent this year," predicts Mario Muñoz, International Exports Director for D.O. Rueda. LED BY SALES OF ITS LEADING VARIETAL, VERDEJO, THIS SPANISH WINE REGION CONTINUES ITS LONG AND STEADY GROWTH by Roger Morris TP0414_072-101.indd 96 3/21/14 2:53 PM