Wine consumption hits record high in 2003

Food & Drink Weekly, Sept 13, 2004

Wine consumption hits record high in 2003: U.S. wine consumption hit a new all-time high on a case basis last year, according to figures released last week. Wine consumption for 2003 climbed by 5.2% to 258.3m 9-litre cases, according to the 2004 edition of Adams Wine Handbook published by Adams Beverage Group.

Per capita consumption of wine reached 2.98 gallons per adult in 2003 - its highest level since 1989. All wine categories except wine coolers gained ground last year. Consistent with recent trends, imported wine offerings - regardless of category - grew at faster rates than domestic wines. Imported wines overall climbed by 11.3% in 2003, whereas domestic wines rose 3.4%. Double-digit gains among imported table wines drove overall growth in imports.