America's winemakers are making superior wines and reaping global acclaim. In a single generation the United States wine industry's global success is a fascinating story of entrepreneurial vision and savvy marketing. The American industry has new innovations, new competition, and new markets, which make the future look bright for the wine industry.
In terms of worldwide recognition and success, individual American wineries have made their mark only in the last 50 years. Not until the end of Prohibition in 1933 did the American wine industry take off on a large scale. America has now become the fourth largest producer in the world behind Italy, France, and Spain.
The wine market consists of still wine, sparkling wine, and vermouth. Since the 1970's, per capita consumption in the United States has grown from 1.3 to 2.7 gallons in 2003. Retail wine sales in the U.S. were a record 21.1 billion. In 2002, Americans consumed 595 million gallons of wine.
Core wine consumers, about 19.2 million, account for 86% of table wine volume consumed in the U.S. Marginal wine consumers, about 28.9 million, account for 14% of table wine volume consumed in the U.S.
Core drinkers are somewhat older than marginal drinkers. 51% are between 40 to 59 years, with a high level of education and a high income of about $79,000. 15% of core wine drinkers have wine daily, 48% drink a few times a week, and 37% weekly.
Marginal wine drinkers prefer white wine, about 46%, followed by red, 35%, and blush/rose, 19%. They are somewhat younger than core drinkers, 49% are between 40 and 59 years and have a relative high income of around $63,000. 52% drink wine two to three times a month, 30% drink once a month and 18% drink once every two to ...