Wine and Wine Clubs Growing in Popularity

Americans who are wondering whether the U.S. is behind in wine culture need wonder no longer. A study commissioned by Vinexpo and conducted by the International Wine and Spirits Record predicts that the U.S. will have the world’s largest wine-consumption among all other countries on the globe by 2010. The study projected that Americans will consume approximately 29 million hectoliters (measuring at about 766 million gallons) of wine in 2010.

The broad study included 28 other wine-producing countries and 114 markets for wine and spirit consumption. The study found general trends for worldwide wine consumption that included an overall increase in importing of wine. Imported wines totaled 27.35 percent of all wines consumed in the world. The study predicted that from 2005 to 2010 consumption of imports will increase by 26.85 percent, a significant jump given that the increase itself is close to the current total percentage. Presently, the U.S. is the third largest importer of wines in the world. Only Great Britain and Germany import more than the U.S.

The introduction and prevalence of wine clubs is no doubt a contributor to the great increase in overall wine consumption in the U.S. Wine clubs provide a regular stock of wine for members and members are becoming such experts themselves that their collection of fine wines and tastes expand. Memberships to wine clubs such as the well-respected and award-winning Gold Medal Wine Club, allow members expanded appreciation of expertly chosen, highly-rated wine selections that are delivered to their doorsteps. Members of wine clubs are sharing these great wines with their friends. With such spectacular choices of wine available and such easy and convenient accessibility, it is not hard to believe that the number of wine drinkers and the amount of wine consumption are both growing at a phenomenal rate.