Most Wine Drinkers Can’t Tell a $10 bottle from a $100 One

A new survey by YouGov asked Americans about their wine-drinking habits: how healthy it is, what they look for. Most only drink occasionally and say they consider it healthy when they do. They’re more likely to believe it’s beneficial than determential to their health. And cost is an important factor when they choose a bottle. 

61% of adult American’s drink wine “occasionally”. 24% say they only imbibe on special occasions, 12% say they drink wine less than once a month, 5% drink wine just once a month and 7% drink once every couple of weeks. Few Americans drink wine more often-once a week (5%), few times a week (6%) or daily (2%). 

Those between 45 and 64 are less likely to drink, 47% say they never drink wine. Multiple studies have been done and publicized saying that wine is good or bad for you. Americans are more likely, however, to believe the occasional glass is good for your health (40%), than bad (11%). 23% think there is really no effect and 27% are unsure. 

18% of adults under 30 say alcohol is detrimental to your health; 9% of adults 30 and older agree. Among those who drink wine a few times a week, 59% say moderation is key and that it is beneficial to someone’s health. 5% say it is detrimental. People who never drink are less likely to agree, 26%. 15% say it is detrimental, and 46% of non-wine drinkers say they’re unsure. 

Among people who say they drink on occasion, 49% say they prefer red wine, 36% white wine. Women are as likely to prefer red wine (44%) and white wine (42%). Men are much more likely, however to prefer red over white, 56% to 30%. 

Those who say they drink a few times a week, 64% prefer red and 28% prefer white. 

Which is all in line with what wines Americans love the most. Which is-red. 31% say they love it, 41% say they like it. 22% love Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% love sparkling wines, 20% love white wines and 20% love Pinot Noir. 

Syrah is the least loved wine, only 10% say they love it. But very few dislike (also 10%) or outright hate it (1%). 43% have never had it. 18% dislike dessert wine and 6% hate it. 

Price is the biggest factor when it comes to choosing wine for many.  49% say it is very important and 40% say it is somewhat important. 20% say the brand matters, 18% varietal and 18% say alcohol percentage are important factors when they choose wine. 

What doesn’t matter? Bottle or label design, just 11% say it is “Very” important. While 23% say it is not important at all. 

With price being such a big factor, how much do people spend on wine? 58% of Americans who drink wine say they spend no more than $20 on a bottle. 13% spend $10 or less and 45% spend between $11 and $20. Household income doesn’t appear to change spending habits on wine. 60% of people with an annual income of $100,000 spend no more than $20 on a bottle.

The survey also questioned the most people have ever spent on a bottle. Most 63% have never paid more than $40. 11% say they’ve spent between $41 and $50, 4% say $51 and $60, 6% say $62 and $80 and 4% say between $81 and $100. 7% of wine drinkers say they have paid more than $100 for a bottle of wine, including 13% of Americans with an annual family income of $100,000 or more. 

Many, however, say there is no point in spending lots of money on a bottle of wine. They couldn’t tell the difference between they expensive and cheap stuff. 9% of Americans who drink wine say they could tell the difference between a $10 and $100 bottle of wine of the same varietal, 26% say they probably could. Americans who drink wine a few times a week are more likely to say they could tell the difference. 29% think they could taste the difference between a $10 and $100 bottle, and 24% say probably. 

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