Wine Sales Growth

  Last week's blog post said wine sales seem to be leveling off based on results from Silicon Valley Bank. Here's a deeper look.

By Price
  In price points it's interesting that under $9 and over $100 wines aren't selling as well in 2017 as they had in 2016. The $9 to $100 range is doing fine. The cheapest wines did well during the Great Recession and will again when the economy turns down. Why the drop in wines over $100? Maybe market saturation -- at least it seems that way in Napa.

Oregon wine country

By Region
  The biggest percentage increases in dollars by region are with Oregon, France, and New Zealand wines. Argentina showed the biggest decrease followed by Chile, Spain, and Australia. Oregon is apparently getting more recognition and is up about 18%. The state is well-situated for the current Pinot Noir rage and is ready for the upturn in sparkling wine sales.

In California
  California growers and winemakers seem optimistic, at least in the near term, as the 2017 grape harvest was small in Europe and they are hoping to pick up the slack.
  Chardonnay has been the #1 selling wine in the U.S. for decades with Cabernet Sauvignon #2. Last year there were more Cab grapes than any other with Pinot Noir a distant second (when will Pinot sales level off?) followed by Chardonnay. Almost three-fourths of the new vines planted last year were for red varieties.