U.S. SALES ARE STRONG

IT WAS A good summer for wine sales in the US, according to the latest findings by Wines Vines Analytics. Total US sales increased 3% in July to reach $2.9 billion, and direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipments rose by 23% to $82 million. The DtC growth is coming off a small base, as summer is the slowest period for wine shipments but still indicative of the segment’s strong and consistent growth overall. Total DtC shipments in July reached 236,452 cases by volume, and the 12-month value increased 12% to $2.14 billion based on the Wines & Vines Ship Compliant model. Sales of domestic table wine and sparkling wine rose 3% in July from a year ago, while the 12-month total grew 4%. Import sales growth beat domestic, growing 5% in value and garnering 34% market share. Imported packaged wine (excluding bulk imported) is up 6% by volume and up 4% by value over the past 12 months.