Few alcoholic beverages have had as long and storied a history than wine. Wine is a very versatile drink in that it can be drank to relax, to celebrate and it even plays a sizable role in a number of religions. I recently sat down and dug up a few wine facts and statistics that you may not have known. I hope you enjoy!
Wine Facts & Statistics
The oldest evidence of wine was 8,000 year old wine jars in the country of Georgia.
90% of US Wine production occurs in California.
The US produces just 8% of the world's wine production, but leads the world in wine consumption.
The world's top three wine-producing countries are France, Italy and Spain
The European Union produces 65% of the world's wine
The most popular varietals of wine in the US is Chardonnay with Merlot a close second.
Number one reason why Americans drink wine: They like the taste.
6% of Americans think fortified wine is the most healthy variety of wine (seriously!)
Largest age-group of Americans that consider themselves high-frequency wine drinkers: Baby Boomers
40% of all wine produced is exported from its production country.
California wine makers shipped $40.2 billion worth of wine in the US in 2018 (248 million cases).
US winemakers produced $68.1 billion of wine in 2018 (406.5 million cases).
US winemakers exported $1.46 billion of wine in 2018 (41.7 million cases).