I know there are good wines made in the U.S. but I taste a lot of domestic samples at the wine shop I work at in Brooklyn and my own experience coupled with that of those I know as well as quite a few well known wine critics and writers leads me to believe that there is a lack of North American winemakers producing inexpensive, high quality table wines that could take the place of a Loire Cab. Franc, or Beaujolais (like what LTL was drinking) or Barbera etc. w/ my dinner. That’s too bad since those wines are becoming less affordable as well and I’d love for the West Coast to start competing in this market.

I question why wine lovers would want increased popularity when this comes at the expense of distinctiveness and typicity. Not to mention the environmental and health concerns involved with mass produced, market driven wines. Sure, some use these wines as a gateway or stepping stone into the world of wine, but I don’t think this is a very large percentage of consumers or poll takers.

The only answer is the idea of cheering for your “team” (wine vs. beer) which just seems outrageously silly to me. I think it’s fine that LTL’s father enjoys Charles Shaw, I also thinks it’s fine that he enjoys the High Life. But from what I know of production methods of these beverages there is little real difference; one is grape, one grain. I’d drink ‘em both in a pinch.

As for numbers I believe that we can all agree that polling says whatever it wants to say prior to polling. Liars figure/figures liar.

The economy is, well, junk, and I work for a store that is flourishing. AM and C just had an auction in HongKong. My blue collar father drinks 2 buck Chuck now instead of Miller High Life.

The wine-world isa changin’ ona level that isn’t detected by Polls.

My bet is more growth. Dr. V thanks for your website, which helped me find a job, and thanks for your continued commitment to dialogue.

Any spelling errors I blame in 2005 Ch. de la Chaize from Brouilly. Not from my store but dang good.

But, I agree, 625 alcohol drinkers is too small of a sample to conclude much.

Besides, who cares when you can drink both beer and wine and whatever else seems appropriate w/out choosing a “team”.

Also, in Tennessee you can purchase beer in grocery stores and gas stations, but wine must be purchased from a liquor store, and they’re all closed on Sunday as well as federal holidays (like the 4th of July). Other states that have restrictive laws regarding wine and liquor tend to make it a lot easier to get beer. Frankly I’m surprised that wine sales are as good as they are!

I think that we’ll see some bouncing back and forth of consumer preferences in the years to come. I noticed that there has been more of an effort by the beer industry to market beer as a proper match for food, much in the way that wine and food pairing has been for years. It looks to me that the beer industry is working to elevate its image and that this effort may be renewing interest in beer among certain segments of US consumers.

The majority of American drinkers get started on beer. Most are just a boilermaker away from liquor, but enjoying wine is a considerably farther stretch. So there needs to be a constant influx of new, publicized reasons (health benefits, intellectual fun and games, Sideways, etc.) to give the juice a try. Otherwise the young’uns will be forever adrift on a sea of St. Ides.

To your question: With the economy headed where it is, I think it’s a safe bet that all three alcohol-delivery vectors are in for a good year.

Incidentally, didn’t Gallup call the 2004 election for Kerry?