Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/264184
M E T R I C S W ith the help of retail price in- creases for nine of the 10 most popular varietals, the value of off-premise domestic wine sales rose 7% in the 12 months through January. Growth in off-premise sales was also 7% for January 2014 versus January 2013, according to IRI, the Chicago-based market research firm. Cabernet Sauvignon took the largest 12-month price increase among major varietals in 750ml sizes including domestic and imported table wines, gaining 42 cents per bottle for a new average of $9.66. Chardonnay, the top-selling varietal, rose 24 cents to $8.67. Zinfandel, Fumé/Sau- vignon Blanc and Pinot Noir also rose in average price by 20 cents or more. One sign of how robust the demand remained was that seven of the nine vari- etals that rose in price also increased their case volume. Red blends/Meritage wines were the stars in this regard, growing 19% in volume while adding 9 cents per bottle. Sauvignon Blanc including the hot New Zealand versions increased volume by 9% as the average price rose 31 cents to $9.42. Zinfandel, however, slipped 2% in volume as its price rose, and Syrah/Shiraz, the varietal most in need of good news, lost 10% in volume and 11 cents in price per bottle. Riesling was nearly flat in price and slipped 5% in volume. Wine marketers and analysts this year have cautioned vintners that further price increases may be unwise, considering that stocks in tanks and bottles are now sufficient, due to the record-size 2013 California harvest and one nearly as big in 2012. Domestic sparkling wine sales grew 5% in value during the 12 months through January, IRI reported. Volume grew 3% during that period, while the average price per 750ml rose 12 cents. Imports remained sluggish at the food, drug, liquor and convenience stores that IRI measures. Their value increased 1% during the most recent 12 months. Aus- tralia's 5% drop in value was too large for healthy increases in New Zealand and Argentina to counteract. —Jim Gordon 1164 Lee Street, White Rock, B.C. V4B 4P4 Canada Phone: (604) 538-2713 Fax: (604) 538-4517 www.idlconsulting.com IDL Process Solutions Inc. Process & Product Development Alcoholic & Non Alcoholic Beverage Industry Equipment Sales Iván D. Lessner ■ R. WAGNER: Rapid SO 2 , TA ■ ERBSLOEH: Fining & Treatment Agents, Yeasts, Enzymes, CelluFluxx (D.E. Replacement) ■ TRUST: Quality Hungarian Oak Barrels & Chips ■ EMD: Reflectoquant Analyzer & Kits IDL_Dir11 11/18/10 4:21 PM Page 1 M E T R I C S W i n e s & V i n e s M A R C H 2 0 1 4 11 Custom made - Handcrafted Barrels Price Hikes Accompany Off-Premise Growth Nine of 10 top varietals in 750ml format raised prices over 12 months Price Change by Varietal Source: , Wines & Vines -2% -1% 0 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% Total table wine in 750ml format, 12 months through January 2014 Sales by Varietal Source: , Wines & Vines chardonnay cabernet sauvignon Pinot Noir red Blends/Meritage Merlot Pinot Grigio/Gris Fumé/sauvignon Blanc riesling Zinfandel syrah/shiraz 0 $200 $400 $600 $800 $1,000 $1,200 $ Millions Total table wine in 750ml format, 12 months through January 2014 chardonnay cabernet sauvignon Pinot Noir red Blends/Meritage Merlot Pinot Grigio/Gris Fumé/sauvignon Blanc riesling Zinfandel syrah/shiraz