The U.S. topped France as the world’s largest wine market last year as Americans continue to develop a greater appreciation for the libation. According to the Beverage Information and Insights Group’s 2014 Wine Handbook, the wine category increased 1.9 percent to 325.4 million 9-liter cases last year. Production and consumption levels also are at an all-time high.
Relaxed restrictions on direct winery shipments contributed to the wine industry’s success in 2013. Direct shipments increased 9.3 percent to 3.47 million cases, and dollar sales of winery-to-consumer shipments increased 7.7 percent to $1.57 billion. Shipments from Napa Valley represented nearly half of the total value, with Sonoma County and Oregon experiencing the largest growth of direct shipments.
According to the Wine Handbook, table wine grew to 298.2 million 9-liter cases, a 2.0 percent increase over the previous year. Domestic and imported wine increased 2.5 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Domestic table wine’s success can be credited to two leading brands–Franzia Winetaps and Barefoot Cellars. Imported table wine’s slowed growth can be partly attributed to the on-premise’s struggle to reach consumption levels sustained prior to the recession.
The champagne and sparkling wine market continues to grow. The category increased 2.6 percent to 17.5 million 9-liter cases in 2013, its 12th consecutive year of growth. Interest in sparkling wine persists in restaurants and bars as well as at home. Growth was ignited during the recession when consumers found price-friendly domestic and imported sparkling wines with good value and great taste.
The 2014 Wine Handbook is the leading source for U.S. wine sales and consumption trends. It includes consumption analysis, the top 50 metro markets, supplier performance, advertising expenditures, consumer preferences, direct shipping data as well as economic/demographic data.
