Who Wants Cheap (Yet Fancy) Wine?
The bottom is falling out of the top of the wine market, and it’s probably about time.
Total U.S. wine sales rose about 5% in terms of volume in the first quarter from a year earlier, but wines priced at $25 a bottle and up fell about 12%, estimates Jon Fredrikson, an industry consultant with Gomberg, Frederikson & Associates in Woodside, Calif.
One sign of the times: Auction Napa Valley — the premier charity and social event of the year — raised just $5.7 million last month, down sharply from the $10.4 million raised last year.
The upshot: Bargains a-plenty, especially if you’re willing to comparison shop. Markdowns of 30% on premium-priced wines are becoming common.
Clue us in on any big deals you find!
I’ve noticed some of the large grocery chains (namely Safeway, but also places like Nugget and Raley’s) discounting all of their premium wines by 25-40% at various times in the last 6 months or so. Back in May I bought two bottles of BV’s 2005 Rutherford Cab for $30 – they’re usually priced at $25 each.