U.S. Wine Consumption Continues to Grow

NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Overall wine consumption in the U.S.
rose 0.9 percent in 2008 to 294.7 million 9-liter cases, according to the
Beverage Information Group's recently released 2009 Wine Handbook. Although
the growth rate has slowed slightly, this marks the fifteenth consecutive year
of case gains. Due to the current recessionary environment, consumers have
become more frugal with their purchases, trading down toward value-priced
wines in both the on-and off-premise.

Changing demographic trends cited in the 2009 Wine Handbook are favorable for
the wine industry. The 70 million people that make up the "Millennial"
generation (age 21 to 30) are changing perceptions of wine. This generation is
not as sophisticated about wine as preceding generations and is willing to
experiment with wines at lower price points.

Another factor accounting for the rise in U.S. wine consumption is the
weakened dollar which has driven up prices of imported wine selections.  This
has triggered an increase in sales among domestic vintages that are priced
more competitively. 

"Imported wines dropped 1.8 %, while domestics rose 1.9% -- a stark contrast
to the recent trend when imported table wines fueled not only the growth of
that sector, but of the entire industry," says Eric Schmidt, manager of
information services for the Beverage Information Group based in Norwalk,
Conn.

In addition, continued association between moderate wine consumption and
decreased risk of heart disease, cancer and stroke remains a key driver of
wine's popularity among an increasingly health-conscious society.

The 2009 Wine Handbook is the leading source for U.S. wine sales and
consumption trends. It includes wine consumption analysis; the top 50 metro
markets; supplier performance; advertising expenditures; consumer drinking
preferences; and economic/demographic data.

The cost of the 2009 Wine Handbook is $795; handbook with CD is $965. Shipping
and handling is $10 for all U.S. and Canadian orders, $20 for all
international orders. The handbook and CD can be purchased at
www.beveragehandbooks.com or by calling Cynthia Porter at (630) 762-8709.

About the Beverage Information Group
The Beverage Information Group, a division of M2MEDIA360, serves all segments
of the beverage alcohol industry through Cheers, Beverage Dynamics and
StateWays magazines, statistical Handbooks, Beverage Research and
www.bevinfogroup.com.

    Contacts:
    The Beverage Information Group
    Eric Schmidt, manager of information services
    eschmidt@m2media360.com

    Cynthia Porter, Handbook sales
    630-762-8709
    cporter@m2media360.com
    www.beveragehandbooks.com

SOURCE  The Beverage Information Group

Eric Schmidt, manager of information services for the Beverage Information
Group, eschmidt@m2media360.com, or Cynthia Porter, Handbook sales,
+1-630-762-8709, cporter@m2media360.com