(Wines&Vines) - The state of the U.S. wine industry is strong but subject to numerous challenges including competition from imported wine, according to four authoritative observers who spoke today at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento.

The speakers examined the global economy, consumer demand, bulk wine supply and grapegrowing capacity for a crowd of about 1,000 attendees at the combined trade show and conference, which is the biggest event of its kind in North America.