Interesting Facts About the Female Wine Connoisseur!

Like many other markets that have been slow to consider women, the wine industry was no exception. They have, to a large degree, failed to see the importance of the female wine consumer or just didn’t know how to address them. With women dominating the wine drinking market it’s surprising to me that the wine industry has been so reluctant to take us seriously and has taken this long to consider our palate and opinion. All you have to do is pick up the book Women of Wine: The Rise of Women in the Global Wine Industry written in 2006 by Ann B. Matasar to see that the wine industry has to a large degree been male dominated. Every female oenophile should consider this book and be inspired by the women who broke the barrier and paved the way despite the prejudice towards their gender and sex.

A 2005 study by the New York Times reported that women purchased 77% and consumed 60% of wine in the United States and last year the Wine Market Council reported that Women account for 64% of wine consumers in the United States. Additionally, WineSpectator.com published their 2009 survey results and discovered some interesting things:

• Women drink 60 percent of the wine consumed in the U.S.
• 93 percent of respondents drink wine at least once a week. (Given that the survey was of Wine Spectator readers, this is not an accurate reflection of the public at large.)
• 80 percent drink most of their wine with meals.
• 79 percent prefer red over white, rosé or bubbles.
• 66 percent spend an average of $11 to $20 per bottle.

Some other interesting facts:

• A 2006 Merrill Research study reveals that women drink more red wine than white (39 vs. 35 percent) or blush (26 percent).
• Women are more likely than men to order wine (72 vs. 70 percent) in a casual dining restaurant, says the same study.
• Out of 78 Master Sommeliers in the United States, 13 are women, reports Kathleen Lewis, executive director of the Court of Master Sommeliers.
• The first National Women’s Wine Competition was held this year.
• Wine groups geared to women are burgeoning. A few of the more active: Divas Uncorked, Vino Vixens, Women for WineSense, Wine Chicks and Women’s Wine and Dine.

Pretty interesting isn’t it! So join the rest of us gals and grab some of your pals and take up wine for a hobby because it is a great way to pass your time!

This was originally written and posted for Women On Top Magazine.