(Wines&Vines) - Domestic wines gained ground in August, with Cabernet Sauvignon leading the way through both off-premise and direct-to-consumer channels. 

U.S. wine sales totaled $3.6 billion in August, up 3% from a year earlier according to market research firm bw166, while off-premise sales through multiple-outlet and convenience stores IRI tracked approached $641 million in the four weeks ended Aug. 12, an increase of 1% versus a year ago. Consumers not only spent more in total, they also exhibited a willingness to spend more per bottle, as case volumes in the period dropped 1% to 8.1 million as sales value rose.