Wine has been a popular beverage for thousands of years. Besides being a social drink with a pleasant taste, wine has also been an important cultural symbol. Additionally, it has some fantastic nutritional properties that can promote overall health.Join us as we explore the complex world of wine. We’ve included some of the latest global and US wine statistics and interesting facts, surprising health benefits, and industry trends to prepare you for 2022.

An Overview of the Global Wine Statistics

1. Global wine production dropped by 4% in 2021.

(Forbes)

Hit by extreme weather conditions, countries in the Northern hemisphere saw a sharp drop in wine production. For example, France lost 27%, Greece 26%, and Spain 14% of their production. On the other hand, wine production in countries in the Southern Hemisphere was on the rise, particularly in Brazil (60%), Chile (30%), and Argentina (16%).

2. Italians consume 597 million gallons of wine.

(Academie Du Vin Library)

With grapevines planted in almost every country region, it’s not a surprise that Italy is home to a fantastic range of wines. Wine industry statistics show that the country produces about 1.3 billion gallons of wine per year. France follows with 1.1 billion gallons, whereas Spain makes 886 million gallons yearly.

3. The global wine market revenue will reach $434.6 billion by 2027.

(BusinessWire)

According to wine statistics, the global wine market was estimated at $326.6 billion two years ago. It’s projected to grow at a 4.2% CAGR by 2027 and reach almost $435 billion. 

4. World consumption of wine is estimated at 234 mhl.

(OIV)

According to the latest wine consumption statistics, the estimated amount of consumed wine equals 23.4 billion liters. This is the lowest level of consumption since 2002, and experts say it’s a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

China noted the most significant decrease in wine consumption (17.4%). Moreover, consumption is also down by 6.8% in Spain and 6% in Canada.

5. Bottled wines represent 53% of the trade volumes worldwide.

(OIV)

Wine industry trends reveal that the trade share of bottled wines of less than two liters is still the highest and relatively unchanged in the past few years. In fact, bottled wines account for 70% of the total value of wines exported globally. With 92%, Portugal holds the most significant export shares in terms of value, followed by Argentina (89%), Chile (81%), and Australia (77%).

6. Italy, Spain, and France account for over 50% of the total value of exported wine.

(OIV)

Italy, Spain, and France dominate the international wine trade and export 54.6 mhl in total, accounting for 52% of the global market. These three European countries are also the leading wine exporters in value, with $9.5 billion, $6.8 billion, and $2.8 billion, respectively.

Key US Wine Data

7. 31% of American adults who drink alcohol prefer wine.

(Gallup)

The latest alcohol industry statistics indicate that 60% of Americans drink alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, over a third of them prefer wine. In addition, wine is trendy among college graduates and upper-income adults.

Additionally, wine is more prevalent among women; 49% say they favor wine, in contrast to 15% of men. Finally, wine is most popular among the 55+ age demographic (42%) and least popular among the 18–34-year-olds (22%).

8. 11,000 wineries exist in the US.

(Statista, Wine America)

Out of them, California houses 4,700. According to winery statistics, California is the unprecedented wine capital home to nearly half of all US wineries. Unsurprisingly, the state is also the largest wine producer in the US, with 684.8 million gallons per year. It’s also the fourth-largest wine producer globally, behind Italy, France, and Spain.

9. The US wine market has reached $11.2 billion in sales revenue.

(Tan Do Beverage)

Alcohol sales stats reveal that the US wine market has increased by 6.4% in sales revenue. Despite the pandemic, the market experienced a 7% YoY growth in sales, and the trend is likely to continue.

Barefoot, the wine by E&J Gallo Winery, is the top-selling brand with $673 million in revenue. Furthermore, Sutter Home comes in second with $397.6 million.

10. The estimated wine consumption per resident in the US is 3.09 gallons.

(Wine Institute, Statista)

The total consumption of table wine is estimated at 870 million gallons. Furthermore, California leads the US wine consumption by state at 150 million gallons.

Florida is far second with about half the amount (79 million gallons). In addition, New York (68 million gallons), Texas (59 million gallons), and Illinois (37 million gallons) round up the list of top US states per wine consumption.

11. The US exports 375.2 million liters of wine.

(Wine Institute)

According to the latest US alcohol industry statistics, California accounts for about 95% of US wine exports. The country exports 41.7 million cases, reaching $1.28 billion in revenue. In addition, total exports experienced a 1.8% increase in volume and a 6.4% decrease in value compared to the previous year.

12. The US imports $1.3 billion worth of Italian wine.

(Forbes, Statista)

The US wine imports statistics pinpoint that the country imports wine from 74 countries. Furthermore, Italy and France account for 52% of all US wine imports. Additionally, the country imported $638 million worth of French wine and $487 million worth of New Zealand wine. Australia, Chile, and Argentina are also among the largest wine importers into the United States by volume.

Surprising Wine Health Facts and Stats

13. Drinking red wine in moderation can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 30%.

(NCBI)

Red wine is beneficial for heart health due to polyphenols, especially resveratrol found in grape skins. Research has found that drinking red wine in moderation might protect the cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 30%.

14. The HDL levels might increase by up to 16% in adults drinking one to two glasses of red wine.

(PubMed)

Red wine facts point out that drinking one to two glasses of red wine a day can improve HDL cholesterol levels essential for heart health. For example, a small study showed that participants who drank red wine in moderate amounts experienced between 11% and 16% increase in the HDL levels compared to those in the control group.

15. Moderate consumption of red wine can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 12%.

(NCBI)

Wine nutrition facts reveal that red wine is particularly beneficial for the prostate due to powerful antioxidants, flavonoids, and resveratrol. Moreover, the pooled risk ratio (RR) for the risk of prostate cancer was 0.98 in the case of moderate wine consumption. 

16. Moderate but regular wine drinking can reduce the risk of diabetes by about 25%.

(CNBC, ACP Journals)

Some surprising wine facts reveal that moderate but regular wine consumption can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 32% in women and 27% in men. Additionally, researchers found that ethanol and other non-alcoholic components in wine can facilitate glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes.

17. People consuming wine are 30% less likely to develop depression.

(Live Science)

Some health-related wine fun facts highlight that light to moderate alcohol drinkers generally have a lower risk of depression than those who abstain from alcohol altogether.

According to a study, the lowest depression rates were observed in wine drinkers. Moreover, older women and men who consumed two to seven small glasses of wine a week were 32% less likely to suffer from depression. However, heavy consumption of wine is associated with a greater risk of depression.

Fun Facts About Wine Popularity by Type

18. Sauvignon Blanc sales in the US increased by 38%.

(Wine Business)

The interest in Sauvignon Blanc was growing in the US even before the pandemic, noting an increase in sales volume by 8.9% YoY. However, following the coronavirus onset, the popularity of Sauvignon Blanc exploded.

19. The US rosé wine category is expected to grow by 70% by 2024.

(Wine News)

As rose wine facts reveal, the segment has increased by 118% since 2015, which is a considerable margin compared to still wine in general. Currently, rosé wines account for 7.1% of the total US wine market in terms of value and 9.3% in terms of volume.

Additionally, rosé wines are also the cheapest option among wines, with an average of $72.72. Plus, they appeal to younger generations, so it’s not surprising that experts predict such growth.

20. With 69%, red wine is the most popular among Americans.

(YouGov)

The vast majority of American wine drinkers prefer red wine. However, 65% say they also like white wine, and 55% drink rosé.

Facts about white wine indicate that Moscato (23%) is the most popular pick among Americans, followed by Chardonnay (17%), Riesling (14%), Pinot Grigio (13%), and Sauvignon blanc (11%). On the other hand, the most popular types of red wine are Merlot (19%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), Pinot Noir (12%), and Zinfandel (12%).

21. One out of six American consumers drinks sparkling wine.

(Wine News, Wine Spectator, Statista)

Nowadays, more than 50 million Americans drink sparkling wine. Wine statistics further show that 32.9 million drink it at least once a month, and 33% drink it at least once a week.

That said, the segment was hit by the coronavirus, experiencing an 8% market decline and a drop of around 22 million cases. However, as events, social mixing, and the hospitality sector recover, the volume share should increase at a 10.1% CAGR.

Interesting Wine Facts and Stats

22. There are 10,000 varieties of wine grapes globally.

(Masterclass, Forbes)

However, some have achieved more widespread popularity than others. The most famous wine grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on 840,000 acres. Merlot is the second most popular variety grown on 657,300 acres, followed by Tempranillo grown on 570,800 acres.

23. The average alcohol percentage in wine is 11.6%.

(Masterclass)

Alcohol by volume (ABV) measures the amount of ethanol in a given volume. For example, the ABV of unfortified wine is between 5.5% and 16%. On the other hand, the ABV of fortified wines can be between 15.5% to 25%, while the average is 18%.

24. The average number of glasses of wine in a bottle is five.

(Usual Wines, Wine Folly)

A standard bottle contains 750ml of wine, which equals 25 ounces or 1.31 pints. In general, there are five glasses of wine of a standard 5 oz serving size. A less known fun fact is that if you’re drinking a glass of wine every day during your adulthood, you’ll drink an equivalent of 4,160 wine bottles. 

25. The most expensive bottle of wine was sold for $558,000.

(CNBC)

The most expensive bottle of wine ever sold was a French Burgundy at an auction at Sotheby. Here are some more fun wine facts: the 1945 Romanee-Conti was sold 17 times its original price of $32,000. Another bottle of the exact wine was sold only moments later for $496,000. Both bottles came from the cellar of Robert Drouhin, a Burgundy winemaker.

26. Before the pandemic, wine tourism attracted 23.6 million tourists to California.

(Academie Du Vin Library, Forbes)

Wine tourism is vital for the economic impact of rural development. Facts about wine tourism reveal that before the COVID-19 hit, wine tourism had attracted 10 million tourists to France and between 4 and 6 million to Italy.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus significantly impacted wine tourism. However, experts are confident that global wine tourism will resurge as things get back to normal.

27. Five ounces of red wine contain 125 calories.

(Very Well Fit)

Red wine nutrition facts from the USDA reveal that low-alcohol, dry red wine can be lower in calories. Additionally, red wines are cholesterol-free, fat-free, and low in sodium. Finally, they usually have around 3.8 grams of carbohydrates and 0.9 grams of sugars.

28. Five ounces of white wine contain 121 calories on average.

(Very Well Fit)

White wine nutrition facts confirm there are fewer calories in white than in red wines. What’s more, white wines are lower in carbohydrates, with an average of 3.8 g of carbohydrates per serving. However, they are higher in sodium (7.4 mg) and sugars (1.4 g).

 Wine Industry Trends 2022: What to Look Out For?

29. Wine cocktails experienced a 102% growth in dollar volume.

(Forbes)

The flavored wine category is going strong, driven mainly by the convenience of the ready-to-drink beverages and the consumers’ desire to try new products. Moreover, the flavored wine category experienced a 33% year-over-year growth in dollar volume. In fact, the RTD cocktail market is projected to grow to $1.63 billion by 2027, experiencing a CAGR of 12%.

30. The canned wine market is expected to grow by 13.2% by 2028.

(Grand View Research)

Wine trends show that wine drinking has become a part of outdoor activities. The increased consumer preference for portable and convenient wine products will be a key factor in driving the industry’s growth. In fact, the canned wine market size is expected to increase, reaching a whopping $571.8 million in 2028.

31. Online wine sales have experienced a 198% growth in dollar sales.

(Statista, Forbes)

One of the most important wine trends in 2022 is online retail. Off-premise wine dollar sales amounted to 74.3%, with online sales playing a significant role in this growth. Experts suggest that online retail will become a viable sales channel, driving substantial growth for online winery DTC and online wine retail sales.

32. The dessert wine segment will grow at a 3.3% CAGR by 2027.

(BusinessWire)

Trends in the wine industry highlight a solid increase in the global dessert wine segment. The US, Japan, Canada, China, and Europe will drive the majority of this growth (2.8%), reaching a combined $53 billion by the end of the forecasted period. Furthermore, the Asia-Pacific market will reach $62 billion, while Latin America will experience a 4.1% CAGR.

33. The organic’s share of total wine consumption will rise to 4% by 2024.

(IWSR)

Millennials are shaping the wine trends due to the uptake of organic wine. Beyond organic foods, millennials now want to drink organic wines, ensuring they give themselves the best possible care.

Currently, the total consumption share of organic wine sits at 2.75%. However, considering that by 2026, millennials are set to become the largest wine-drinking demographic, brands are already adapting to this trend.

34. 73% of wine consumers started spending more on fine wine after the lockdown.

(The Drinks Business)

Fine wine sales statistics show that the segment experienced a 44% YoY increase and is now valued at $82 million. Research further reveals that three-quarters of wine consumers started spending more on fine wine.

About 46% said they had begun treating themselves during the lockdown, but the trend prompted a permanent change. Furthermore, almost 90% of surveyed people plan to incorporate fine wine consumption permanently in their lifestyle.

Wine Facts and Stats — The Takeaway

It’s safe to say that no other alcoholic beverage has made such an impact on society as wine. Since its creation in ancient Georgia and Armenia, wine has been a part of human civilization. Over 8,000 years ago, wine was used in various religious ceremonies, and many ancient gods were connected to its consumption.

Today, wine remains an indispensable part of our daily lives and special moments. Even though wine production took a hit following the coronavirus pandemic, wine’s popularity has increased during the lockdown. As a result, the industry is set to thrive and adapt to new trends and modern consumer needs, opening the path to innovation.

People Also Ask

What is the number one wine in the world?

Wine Spectator Magazine’s number one wine worldwide is the vintage 2018 Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley. The wine features a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It’s praised for its complexity and profoundness. In addition, it has one of the best track records for aging. Furthermore, 4,000 cases of this wine were made, and the average price per bottle is $269.

What is the hardest wine to make?

Pinot Noir is the most complex wine to make. The skin of the Pinot Noir grape is very thin and imparts less color and tannin than other grape varietals. It’s also susceptible to temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, Pinot Noir thrives in cooler climates and sites that aren’t abundant in sunshine, so it takes longer for grapes to ripen fully and be ready to harvest.

Is expensive wine actually better?

While the more expensive wine doesn’t necessarily taste better than the cheaper one, experts agree that many reasons justify the heftier price tag. For instance, winemakers factor in the basic costs like grapes, production materials, labor, the bottle itself, and administrative and marketing expenses.

In addition, some extra costs reflect the wine’s quality. For example, oak-aged wines or wines made in a specific terroir are generally pricier. However, it all comes down to personal preference.

Does wine increase heart rate?

Alcohol affects the cardiovascular system, so it might cause a heart rate and blood pressure increase. In the long term, drinking wine (or any alcohol) excessively can lead to higher heart rate and blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and weakened heart muscle. All these conditions can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, drinking wine in moderation can have positive effects on your health.

What percentage of wine is water?

Water is a critical component of wine. Almost 98% of wine consists of water and ethanol, and the remaining 2% are a combination of acids, sugars, pigment and aroma compounds, and tannins that give the wine individuality. In fact, the average wine contains 85% of water.

According to the Huffington Post, it takes 872 gallons of water to produce one gallon of wine. Breaking this down, it takes 34 gallons of water for five ounces of wine.

How many wine consumers are in the US?

About 60% of American adults drink alcoholic beverages. Among them, 31% prefer wine. Furthermore, wine is more prevalent among women (49%) than men (15%). Additionally, wine is the preferred drink of upper-income drinkers and college graduates. Looking at demographics, 42% of Americans aged 55 or older prefer wine. Wine statistics reveal the same goes for 28% of adults aged 35–54 and 22% of 18–34-year-olds.

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39. YouGov