California Vineyard (© Rboncato | Dreamstime.com)

Last week we noted that European imports of America’s artisanal cheeses were on the rise. Soon afterwards we learned that the world is importing more American wines than ever before. Those two developments were practically unthinkable just a couple of decades ago.

Ninety percent of the wines exported from the U.S. are made in California, according to the Wine Institute, a large advocacy and public policy association for California wine. A press release from the Institute says, “Nearly half of U.S. wine exports are shipped to the European Union, accounting for $486 million. Volume shipments to the European Union increased 9% in 2008 compared to 2007.”

“Wine is California’s second leading export product by value, and there is great opportunity to build upon this progress as the U.S. is the world’s fourth leading wine producer, yet holds a 6% share of the world export market,” said Linsey Gallagher, Wine Institute International Marketing Director.

The country’s vintners and crafters of fine cheeses may not have the ancient legacies of their European counterparts, but they've come a long way in their relatively short history. With their commitment to excellence gaining increasing recognition overseas they are helping preserve American livelihoods and bringing home revenue from abroad. And that is very good news in these worrisome times.

If you’d like to read the press release on which this item was based go to: Wine Institute