If there’s one thing Americans love with a meal, it’s a glass of wine. Whether it’s Charonnay, Pinot Grigio or Merlot, Americans can’t get enough of wine.
According to the Wine Institute, in 1993 Americans only drank 1.74 gallons of wine per capita. In 2013, that figure rose to 2.82 gallons. That makes the United States the largest wine consuming nation in the world at more than 329 million cases of wine sold in 2013, according to Impact Databank.
In 2016, 949 million gallons of wine were consumed the United States and U.S. wine retail sales are expected to increase 11 percent by 2020. There are 7,700 wineries across the United States in all of the 50 states.
Wine is popular across many demographics, but millennials seem to have a special affection for it. Younger drinkers are thirstier than older oenophiles (wine lovers), drinking an average 3.1 glasses compared to 2.4 for Gen Xers and 1.9 for boomers. In 2015, millennials consumed 159.6 million cases or about 42 percent of all wine sold in the U.S.
In addition, 17 percent of all millennial wine drinkers bought a bottle costing more than $20 in the past month, compared to 10 percent of all drinkers and five percent of boomers.
Among U.S. wine lovers, red wine is the popular choice at 38 percent, followed by 32 percent of wine drinkers favoring white.
Of course, any type of alcohol is best enjoyed in moderation, but there are many benefits to drinking wine.
- It contains antioxidants
- It boosts the immune system
- It increases bone density
- It reduces the risk of stroke
- It reduces the risk of heart disease
- It can lower your cholesterol
- It helps control your blood sugar
- It gives your brain a boost
- It promotes longevity
- It’s effective for fighting colds
- It helps fight cancer
- It helps you get slim
In addition to these benefits, the old adage of a glass or two of wine a day being good for you has been proven true.
Red wines have certainly proven popular, but different types of wine. Some people prefer Italian red wines such as Dolcetto or Sangiovese. Others prefer French white wines like Chablis. Whatever your pleasure, there are many factors involved when deciding what makes a wine ‘great.’
- Body
- Alcohol level
- Levels of tannin (higher in red wine than in white wine)
- Flavor profiles
- Quality
- Potentially Increased Complexity
- Finish
If you’re brand new to wine, distinguishing between red and white wines, or types of wine like Italian red wines and German white wines can be confusing, but this beginner’s guide can smarten you up about the different types of wine, how to read wine labels and where different kinds of wine come from in the world.
If you’re an up-and-coming wine connoisseur, looking to try some new wines, these guides to red wines and white wines can help you find something new to try.
Another good way to figure out what wines are good is through word of mouth. Ask friends what their favorite wines and wine brands are and see what they recommend. If you’re looking for more reviews of different wines use a wine app to see what types of wine people are drinking and what they’re saying.
If you’re looking for specific wines and your local liquor store doesn’t have them, try an online wine store. Online wine stores offer a wide variety whether you’re searching for Italian wines, sparkling wine or fine French wine, sites like Total Wine, Wine Deals and Cellar Masters offers plenty of deals and options and different types of wine.
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