PREMIUM WINE UP 24% IN AUGUST

Table wine saw another great month in August with sales up 11% as compared to an 11.2% increase in July and a 9.6% increase YTD, according to Merrill Lynch. Volumes rose 5% in the 4-week period ending August 13, barely up from July’s growth of 4.9%.A favorable pricing mix was up $0.03 from July gaining 5.8% and costing $5.32 per bottle. Trading up from jugs to bottles has helped low-end wine brands while the middle-tier pricing is flat. Super-premiums are