DO Rueda brought 2009 to a close having issued 43,208,350 back labels to its endorsed bodegas, a figure which represents a 5.04 percent increase over the previous year. A number which the Regulating Council regards as very positive “bearing in mind the current economic situation all businesses are going through”. The appellation has been registering sustainable growth over recent years and has once again set a record volume of sales.

From the total figure of back labels, 42,968,520, in other words, 99.4 percent were issued for white wines, almost 2 million bottles more than in 2008, which represents a 4.7 percent growth for this type of wine. In addition, Rueda whites made from the Verdejo variety cornered 21,102,713 back labels, 49.1 percent of those issued to white wines, a 15.64 percent increase over the previous year.

Back labels issued for red and rosé wines amounted to 239,830, a superior figure to that of 2008, but without dramatic changes.

However, not all the figures were positive. On the negative side is the fall in Rueda sparkling wine sales, were barely 49,000 back labels were issued, representing a 74.39 percent reduction compared to 2008. Rueda whites made from the Sauvignon variety also closed on a negative note, down 25 percent with a total of 1,364,000 units issued, a phenomenon which is leading the appellation to specialise in Verdejo wines.

The outlook for 2010, according to the latest reports, indicates a growth in sales for DO Rueda wines in the food sector and a better performance than other appellations in the hospitality sector.