Wine sales in the U.S. from all production sources – California, other U.S. states and foreign countries – increased 2 percent from the previous year to a new record of 360.1 million 9-liter cases with an estimated retail value of $34.6 billion, according to wine industry consultant Jon Fredrikson of Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates in Woodside.

Of the total, almost two-thirds or 207.7 million cases of California wine account for a 58 percent share of U.S. wine sales with an estimated retail value of $22 billion.

Including exports, 2012 California wine shipments to all markets in the U.S. and abroad reached 250.2 million cases.

“The U.S. is the largest wine market in the world with 19 consecutive years of volume growth,” said Wine Institute President and Chief Executive Officer Robert P. (Bobby) Koch. “Competition for retail shelf space and consumer attention is intense, so California’s high quality, record winegrape harvest in 2012 could not have come at a better time. California vintners continue to respond to growing worldwide demand with a wide array of outstanding wines from regions throughout the state and Wine Institute is supporting the effort by opening markets and eliminating trade barriers in the U.S. and abroad.”

“Wine shipments to the U.S. market climbed by nearly 50 percent since 2001 and it is likely that American consumption will continue to expand over the next decade as wine continues to gain traction among American adult consumers,” said Fredrikson. “The amazing diversity of choices and exciting new offerings are attracting new consumers and boosting consumption. Among the key growth drivers are favorable demographics, a widening consumer base and increasing points of distribution in both on- and off-sale outlets. For example, Starbucks is now serving wine in some key markets and Amazon.com and Facebook Gifts both sell wine online.”

Varietal trends in chain retail outlets

Wine sales in U.S. food stores and other off-premise measured channels from all domestic and foreign producers grew 2 percent by volume and 6 percent by value, according to Nielsen, a global provider of information and insights into what consumers buy.

California wines grew faster than the overall category by a full percentage point. By varietal in the table wine category, Chardonnay remained the most popular varietal with a 21 percent share of volume, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, 12 percent volume share; Merlot, 9 percent share, and Pinot Grigio/Gris, 8 percent share.

The largest percentage gains were Muscat/Moscato, up 33 percent in volume with 6 percent market share, and domestic red blends/sweet red wines, up 22 percent in volume with 5 percent share of market. Also of note was Malbec, up 21 percent by volume with a 1 percent share.

“Consumers have more access to wine throughout the country with wine-selling locations expanding by well over 50,000 from five years ago. Off-premise retail outlets grew 15 percent to almost 175,000 outlets, while restaurants and other on-premise outlets increased 12 percent to 332,000 locations in the U.S.,” said Danny Brager, vice president of the beverage alcohol practice at Nielsen. “Retailers recognize that wine is a large and growing category, even in economically challenging times, and tends to attract upper income consumers, and all legal drinking age groups. Wine also pairs well with food, leading to larger, more profitable shopping baskets.”

Sparkling wine and champagne

Shipments of sparkling wine and champagne reached 17.7 million cases in 2012, up 2 percent over the previous year. California sparkling wine grew 3 percent with Moscato based sparklers driving the growth.

While overall total 2012 volume slowed after a major surge in 2011, sparkling wine shipments to the U.S. in 2012 were at their highest level since 1987.

U.S. wine exports

U.S. wine exports, 90 percent from California, reached $1.43 billion in winery revenues in 2012, an increase of 2.6 percent compared to 2011. Volume shipments reached 424.6 million liters or 47.2 million cases.

Of the top markets for California Wines, the European Union’s 27-member countries are the largest accounting for $485 million, up 1.7 percent; followed by Canada, $434 million, up 14 percent; Hong Kong, $115 million, down 30 percent; Japan, $111 million, up 6 percent; China, $74 million, up 18 percent; Vietnam, $27 million, up 22 percent; Mexico, $20 million, up 4 percent; South Korea, $16 million, up 26 percent.