Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/513570
Key Indicators O ff-premise sales of domestic table wine and sparkling wine combined grew by 5% in April compared to April 2014, according to IRI, maintaining a 12-month growth rate of 5% for the fifth consecutive month. The performance of domestic sparkling wine was an especially bright spot. Sparkling sales rose 14% in April compared to the same month in 2014, bringing the 12-month growth rate to 8%. Since white wines are traditionally more popular in summer than red, Wines & Vines looked at white wine varietals for this month's off-premise report, and especially the white wine that is the top-selling varietal overall: Chardonnay. Sales of Chardonnay from all countries totaled $1.9 billion and 24 million cases during the past 12 months in the U.S. stores analyzed by IRI, the market-research firm based in Chicago, Ill. Comparing the top five white wine varietals and types, and including white Zinfandel because it's consumed like a white wine, Chardonnay held 46% market share by value during the most re- cent 12 months. Pinot Grigio/Gris was a distant second at 21%, followed by Sauvignon Blanc, white Zinfandel and Riesling in that order. T he Winery Job Index in April showed its biggest monthly gain since December 2013: up 34% from April 2014. The index for the 12-month period through April was up 19% compared to a year earlier. Winejobs.com calculates the Winery Job Index and divides winery jobs into three cat- egories: winemaking jobs, hospitality jobs and sales and marketing jobs. Hiring activity for hospitality jobs was the hottest category in April. Spring has had the busiest hiring months for hospitality jobs in recent years, since many wineries add extra tasting room help for the tourist season. April was 56% higher than April 2014. Winemakers also were in great demand in April. Wineries usually plan to have new wine- makers on the job in time for the harvest in August and September, and they need enough lead time to advertise and interview. The index for winemaking jobs was 34% higher than April 2014. Off-Premise Sales Winery Job Index Complete data is available at winesandvines.com/metrics METRICS 10 WINES&VINES June 2015 Winery Jobs, DtC Shipments and Off-Premise Sales Up Domestic Wine Up 5%, Boosted in Part by Sparkling Wine Growth Hiring Up 34% From April 2014 Source: , Wines & Vines. All table wines by value, 52 weeks ending April 19, 2015, multiple-outlet and convenience stores. WHITE WINE MARKET SHARE Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris White Zinfandel Riesling Other Whites Chardonnay Winery Job Index MONTH Apr. 2015 406 Apr. 2014 302 12 MONTHS Apr. 2015 252 Apr. 2014 212 MONTHLY INDEX 34% 19% Off-Premise Sales MONTH Apr. 2015 $627M Apr. 2014 $595M 12 MONTHS Apr. 2015 $8,028M Apr. 2014 $7,623M MONTHLY SALES 5% 5% Direct-to-Consumer Shipments MONTH Apr. 2015 $184M Apr. 2014 $157M 12 MONTHS Apr. 2015 $1,890M Apr. 2014 $1,649M MONTHLY SHIPMENTS 15% 17% Source: , Wines Vines Analytics. Domestic table and sparkling wine sales in multiple-outlet and convenience stores, four weeks ending April 19, 2015. $ Millions $800 $700 $600 $500 May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr 2014 2013 2015 2014 Source: winejobs.com winejobs.com Index 500 400 300 200 100 2015 2014 2014 2013 May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr $ Millions $300 $250 $200 $150 $100 $50 May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Source: Wines Vines Analytics/ShipCompliant 2015 2014 2013 2014