Americans are leading the way in…wine consumption!

According to Analysts at Fredrikson & Associates, we drink 13% of global production.

According to Analysts at Fredrikson & Associates, we drink 13% of global production. The retail value of U.S Wine sales has shot up to $32.5 billion in 2011 from just $10.9 billion in 1991. And for the same time period, the US Department of Commerce and GFA estimates US wine consumption per resident went from 1.85 gallons in 1991 to 2.73 gallons in 2012. When it comes to who’s doing the drinking, Danny Brager, from Nielsen said that last year Millenials made up 26% of legal drinking-age Americans and continue to be a wine sales growth driver. In such an accepting market, some wineries are testing higher prices. Even Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw brand, nicknamed ‘Two Buck Chuck,’ rose in price by 50 cents, from $1.99 to $2.49 per bottle in California, its first increase since its launch 11 years ago. Trader Joe’s sells 5 million bottles of it annually, says a CBS report. Meanwhile, several Whole Foods Market and Hy-Vee stores have on-premises service where customers can drink wine with food. A move which suggests the retailers comfort in selling wine. Given wine’s popularity and sales performance, supermarkets should be feeling pretty cozy with the beverage. Nielsen data for the 52 weeks ended January 5, 2013, across the U.S. expanded all outlets combined, plus liquor/convenience/Army and Air Force Exchanges, shows total wine dollar sales rose 4.5% to $13.37 billion. And what are some of the most popular? Chardonnay sold the most, reaching $2.30 billion in dollar sales and cabernet sauvignon sold the second most, reaching $1.73 billion .