Wine is up - Currents

Cheers, Nov-Dec, 2002

Wine consumption in the U.S. posted its eighth consecutive year of growth in 2001, despite the effects of a recession and a sharp slowdown in the travel and hospitality industries after September 11, according to the 2002 edition of the just-released Adams Wine Handbook published by Adams Beverage Group.

U.S. wine consumption climbed to 233.7 million 9-liter cases in 2001, though the 0.8% increase was relatively weak compared with the 3.6% annual compound growth rate of the prior seven years.

Table wine--the largest wine category, with an 88.9% market share, that includes everything from generic jug through first-growth Bordeaux --fueled the rise in total wine consumption in 2001, as it did through most of the '90s,

Imported wine overall grew 6.4% in 2001, while total domestics declined 0.6%. The latter represents the lion's share--79.2%--of total wine consumed.

The Adams Wine Handbook 2002 contains wine consumption by category, state and metro market. Brand data, retail sales, consumer demographics, and industry statistics are included. For more information, call 630-762-8709.