Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/70670
METRICS $20-Plus Wines Down in Price, Up in Sales $20-Plus Growth Rates by Varietal S an Rafael, Calif.—The latest data from Symphony IRI Group (SIG) give further testimony to the rapid off-premise sales growth of wines priced $20 and higher. This category continued its successful run with 27% growth in dollars over the 52-week period ending May 13. Growth for the previous 52- week period was 21%, according to the Chicago-based market research firm. Data from major U.S. food and drug stores show that decreases in bottle prices have ac- companied overall sales gains for most vari- etal wines in the $20-plus segment, meaning volume went up faster than dollars. Syrah/Shiraz wines dropped by an aver- age $1.49 per bottle, Chardonnay dropped by $1.35, Pinot Noir by $1.22 and Caber- net Sauvignon by $1.16. Seven out of eight major varietal wines (including domestic and imported brands) grew in dollars, as Pinot Noir tied with red blends/Meritage wines as the hottest fla- vors at 37% growth. Cabernet Sauvignon grew 32% and tallied the most varietal sales in the $20-plus arena at $71 million. May 2011 -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% May 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Fumé/ Pinot Noir Blends/ Meritage Red Riesling Total table wine, dollar sales growth rate in major U.S. food and drug stores, 52 weeks ending May 15, 2011, and May 13, 2012. Curtis Mann, director of client in- sights for SIG's wine and spirits divi- sion, said, "Everybody used to see the high growth numbers in this segment, but the brands were nearly all under $1 million...Now, with 27 domestic brands each selling $2 million to almost $13 million per year at the stores we ana- lyze, it's getting attention." —Jim Gordon Syrah/ Shiraz Zinfandel Wines & Vines JULY 2012 11 Growth Rates