(Wines&Vines) - July has traditionally been the slowest month of the year for wine sales, but steady growth this summer is challenging the pattern. U.S. wine sales totaled $2.8 billion in July 2017, up 4% from July 2016, according to market-research firm bw166. T

his boosted sales in the 12 months ended July to $41 billion, an even greater gain of 6% over the same period a year ago.