According to the 2013 Beverage Information Group’s Wine Handbook, wine consumption in the U.S. increased for the 19th consecutive year because of overturned blue laws, customers buying more premium priced wines as the economy stabilizes, and the relaxing of direct shipment restrictions in the industry. Total wine sales reached $28.9 billion with a volume of 318.0 9-liter cases – 1.9% growth over the previous year. The domestic wine market increased 2.0% and imported wines increased 1.5%. Direct-to-consumer shipments of wines contributed $1.4 billion to the industry and the Wine Handbook now includes data on the direct shipment segment of the industry. To read more:
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