Wine consumption tops population growth rate

MILFORD - Pike County, as we’re told regularly, is growing by leaps and bounds, but apparently not as fast as its residents’ wine consumption. Figures from the U.S. Census show Pike’s population grew 82.5 percent between 1990 and 2004. Figures from the state Liquor Control Board show Pike’s wine consumption, in units sold, grew 137 percent between 1995 and 2006. Liquor sales grew as well, but at a rate closer to the population change. Over the same period, wine units sold statewide increased by 44 percent, according to the LCB, while the American Wine Institute reported a 34 percent growth in individual consumption nationwide from 1995 to 2005. Wine popularity has grown nationwide since the mid-1990’s for a number of accountable reasons, including legalized mail-order marketing and a higher media profile in popular films, like “Sideways.” In Milford, people see it differently. Angela McCabe has worked at the Milford state store for nine years and she’s seen the change. About two-thirds of the store’s sales area is now devoted to wine display. McCabe says boxed wines are popular with customers who have heard and read of wine’s health benefits. Carl Muhlhauser of the Laurel Villa Country Inn and Restaurant believes that stiffer penalties for driving under the influence has made many reconsider their drinking and dining out habits. Laurel Villa’s wine list reflects the changing times. Twenty years ago, they stocked perhaps 20 different varieties. Today, they sell 55 by the bottle, 12 by the glass. Wine’s local popularity is also reflected in the popularity of Laurel Villa’s monthly wine tasting evenings, said co-host Janice Halsted. “When we started the tastings, we’d get 15 or 20 people coming. Now we’re up to 35 or 40 and we have to limit them,” she said. Muhlhauser and Halsted say better marketing and a growing world-wide wine industry have helped make an already good product more popular. A representative of the distributor appears at their wine tastings to introduce the wines that may come from New Zealand, Chile or South Africa and talk about their various attributes. Most of the wines at tastings sell for under $20 a bottle and can be obtained locally. It’s a good introduction for consumers who may be overwhelmed by the variety on store shelves. Halsted also endorsed a state liquor store program, which allows a consumer to order more unusual or rare wines after making a $100 deposit. “Chef Carl” makes hors d’oeuvres to complement each of the five wines at various tastings. “It’s a fun evening,” Halsted said. Muhlhauser and Halsted have just returned from Tuscany in Italy, where they visited the 500 year-old estate where some of the wines they will feature this month were created. That leads to this month’s tasting, “A Taste of Italy,” which will include dinner and wine-tasting on Friday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m. For reservations and more information, call the Laurel Villa at 570-296-9940. Visit its Web site at www.laurelvilla.com .