Grapes on the Vine (photo by Tony Roberts, courtesy of morguefile.com)

Once a country imbibing primarily beer and spirits, in recent decades the United States has evolved as a nation of wine lovers and winegrowers. In 2007, wine sales topped $30 billion, a 4% increase over the previous year.

An article in the Sacramento Bee points out that the "industry's most expensive products continued to be its best–sellers: For bottles $12 and up, sales rose by 20% or better." According to the article, "Import brands accounted for nearly two-thirds of the growth of wine sales last year." Imported wines account for 31% of sales in stores, but about 43% of the wine sold at restaurants.

It seems there's been an explosion in the in the number of sommeliers who are 20-somethings and they've played a large role in the success of Italian and Spanish wines. The young wine experts are often employed by high-end restaurants and looking for something handcrafted and unique. While having fun with wine these sommeliers are also looking to make a statement.

California winegrowers are being urged to take heed of emerging trends . Joshua Greene, editor and publisher of Wine & Spirits magazine is quoted as saying, "Their challenge is to find a wine that they're as excited about as the chef is … about the flavor of his vegetables from the farmers market."

If you'd like to read the Sacramento Bee article cited above go to: Young set pace on wine trends