(Wines&Vines) - Solid wine sales growth in July came with a spike in direct-to-consumer wine shipments, according to the latest findings by Wines Vines Analytics.

Total U.S. wine sales increased 3% in July to reach $2.9 billion, and direct-to-consumer shipments rose by 23% to $82 million.

The DtC growth is coming off a small base, as summer is the slowest period for wine shipments but still indicative of the segment’s strong and consistent growth overall.  

Total DtC shipments in July reached 236,452 cases by volume, and the 12-month value increased 12% to $2.14 billion based on the Wines & Vines/ShipCompliant model.  

Sales of domestic table wine and sparkling wine rose 3% in July from a year ago, while the 12-month sales total through July grew 4%, according to bw166.com.

Import sales growth beat domestic wine sales during the 12 months through July, growing 5% in value and garnering 34% market share.

Imported packaged wine (excluding bulk imported) is up 6% by volume and up 4% by value over the past 12 months, said bw166.com founder Jon Moramarco. 

Import growth slowing 

However, he said this growth has decelerated over the past three months. Imported packaged wine from Italy represents 35% of all packaged imports by volume, while imported bulk wine from Chile represented 31% of all bulk imports by volume. Exported packaged wine for the last 12 months was down 5% by volume but up 3% by value, in the bw166.com data. 

Chicago-based IRI recorded the biggest monthly increase in off-premise domestic wine sales since January. Off-premise sales rose 6% from the same period in 2015, and the 12-month total also increased 6%. The rise in volume during the four weeks ending July 10 was 3%, based on IRI’s multiple-outlet and convenience store data. 

Red blends passed Sauvignon Blanc as the fastest growing major varietal or wine type during the past 52 weeks, according to IRI. In a similar case of red overtaking white, Cabernet Sauvignon’s growth rate overtook that of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris.