(LATimes) - Ha! The quality of our healthcare may not be universally admired. Our education may be falling behind. But on one front, the United States still leads. A survey by Vinexpo of current trends in the international wine and spirits market gives us the top spot for wine consumption in the world. Quoting the study, in 2011 “the U.S. became the leading wine consuming nation in volume and value in the world, ahead of France and Italy.” Yes! In fact, our consumption went up 4.5% in one year, a record. When the economy’s bad, that glass of wine looks awfully good. We are also the leading consumer market in the world for wines priced at more than $10 per bottle. Take that, Two-Buck Chuck (or since the price hike last week, Two-and-a-half-buck Chuck)!