U.S. Becomes Second-Largest Wine Market, Sets Sights on No. 1

Global consumption inches ahead as France, Italy continue long-term slide

Posted: Thursday, May 29, 2008

In spite of a sluggish economy, U.S. wine consumption registered its 14th consecutive annual gain in 2007, as Americans drank more wine than Italians for the first time ever and now trail only the French in total wine consumed. After a solid 4 percent gain last year, U.S. wine consumption stood at a record 301.5 million 9-liter cases, according to the recently released 2007 edition of The Global Drinks Market: Impact Databank Review and Forecast. American consumption is expected to further increase in the foreseeable future, and at current rates, the United States will surpass France as the world's largest wine-consuming market within five years.

In per-capita terms, Americans still lag far behind the French and Italians, consuming less than 9 liters per adult in 2007. Per-capita consumption in France and Italy, by contrast, stood at 52 liters and 46 liters, respectively, last year. China was the world's fastest-growing wine market in 2007, and the Chinese represent a tremendous upside for consumption as their per-capita level stood at only a half-liter last year. Other solid-performing wine markets in 2007 include Australia, South Africa, Canada and Chile, according to Impact Databank, which is owned by M. Shanken Communications, the parent company of Wine Spectator.

Lifestyle changes have been a major influence on the long-term decline of wine consumption in France, Italy and other parts of Europe, where wine is traditionally consumed with meals. For Europeans with increasingly fast-paced lifestyles, soft drinks, juice, bottled water, beer and even distilled spirits have taken over important roles at meals and other drinking occasions, particularly among younger drinkers. In 1980, France and Italy combined represented a 45 percent share of global wine consumption, but by the end of this decade, their aggregate share will have been cut in half, according to the 761-page Global Drinks Market report.

The annual Global Drinks Market analyzes the latest trends in the world beverage alcohol industry. Containing more than 600 tables, color graphs and maps, the expanded 2007 edition provides extensive analysis of the global markets for wine, spirits, beer and ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol beverages. The report provides a first look at 2007 data by brand, country and type, and offers comprehensive projections through 2010. The current edition is also available on CD in PDF format.

For more information about The Global Drinks Market, priced at $3,475 for the printed report and $3,975 for the CD version, as well as other Impact Databank reports on the U.S. wine, spirits and beer industries, contact Elisa Trapani at M. Shanken Communications, 387 Park Ave. South, New York, N.Y. 10016; by phone at (212) 684-4224, ext. 339; by fax at (212) 779-3366; or by e-mail at etrapani@mshanken.com. For a comprehensive table of contents and a detailed listing of tables and charts, view the Global Drinks Market 2007 table of contents. Or view more information and print an order form here.

Currently on Wine Spectator Online:

Wine Talk: Dennis Haysbert
Versatile actor, known for his roles in 24 and The Unit, takes the time to seek out new wines at home and on location
Australian Reds Alphabetical Listing
Australian Reds Retrospective
Fiber in Red Grapes Helps the Heart Stay Healthy
Tempranillo found to lower blood pressure and cholesterol
Penfolds St. Henri Vertical