Growth for Premium and Above Wines May Slow in H2

Dear Client: The first half of 2010 experienced "marked improvement" in sales of wine priced above $15, according to Rabobank's Stephen Rannekleiv in the Rabobank Wine Quarterly report, obtained by WSD. There are "improving trends" in direct-to-consumer sales, while the on-premise "appears to be stabilizing." Distributors told the firm that volumes of super-premium wines "are indeed well above last year's levels," but dollar values "are rising more slowing due to price reductions and discounting." The "true litmus test" will be