United States surpasses France as top wine-consumption nation

Ag Alert, the weekly newspaper for California Agriculture, reported in their March 23, 2011 edition that the United States surpasses France as top wine-consumption nation, with wine shipments to the U.S. from California, other states and foreign producers growing 2 percent in 2010 from previous year to nearly 330 million cases. The estimated retail value of these sales was $30 billion, up 4 percent from 2009, according to the wine industry consultants Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates in Woodside.  While wine consumption is still a low 2.6 gallons per capita, Americans’ interest in a lifestyle with wine and food has grown and more Americans believe that moderate consumption of wine is part of a healthy way of life.

According to the report, California wine accounted for 61 percent volume share off the total U.S. wine market with sales at 199.6 million cases, up 1 percent from the previous year.  Chardonnay remains the leader, up 5 percent with 53 million cases. Cabernet Sauvignon also grew rapidly, rising 6 percent to nearly 33 million cases.  Other California bottled varietals growing significantly in sales included Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Riesling and Muscat.

The facts reported by the Ag Alert newspaper could have happened at a better time for those of us in the wine business in Ramona Valley.  We’re thrilled by the news. As the interest in Ramona Valley as a wine destination region grows, the enthusiasm and can-do attitude along with a unity sentiment have grown stronger among the members of the Ramona Valley Wineries Association (RVWA) and the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA). 

We continue to be amazed by the Ramona community and San Diego County’s support for the local wineries.  Everyone who showed up at the two meetings that were held at our winery was excited about the emerging Ramona wine trail.   Among the attendees, we had people from all over San Diego county as well as visitors from out of town.  Both meetings were well attended, especially the RVVA meeting which was standing room only.  There were at least 50-60 people attending the last RVVA meeting held at our winery last week.  When I watched the excitement and confidence expressed by the attendees at the gathering, I got goose bumps because it reminded of a scene in the Bottle Shock movie when the Napa Valley vintners got together at the Chateau Montelena winery to decide who should represent them at the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting held at the Intercontinental Hotel. A bottle of Montelena Chardonnay 1973 took the top prize in the white wine competition; Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' Cabernet Sauvignon 1973 took the honors in the red wine category. This twist of fate forever changed the fortunes of Napa Valley wineries and the global wine industry as a whole, as it was revealed that French wines were in fact not unbeatable.  TIME Magazine published George Tabor's article about the event that changed the way the world perceived wines from American and put Napa Valley on the map.

Cheers