(BizJournals) - Despite a slow-to-rebound economy and constraints in supply, American wine consumption increased in 2012, according to data just released by Technomic, a Chicago-based research and consulting firm for the food industry.

But beyond the increased imbibing of wine, new research indicates millennials in America are driving the preference for what Technomic terms "more approachable and drinkable" wines that are suitable for a range of dining and social occasions. Noted Technomic Senior Director Donna Hood Crecca: "Specialty wines such as sangrias and chocolate wines really took off (in 2012). Wine is now part of a casual lifestyle, and domestic wine marketers are looking to satisfy that growing demand with intriguing products."

According to Technomic, wine volume grew 2.2 percent in 2012 to 345.1 million 9-liter cases, and retail sales reached $32.3 billion, a 3.6 percent increase over 2011. Wine's share of total adult beverage volume increased slightly to 10.7 percent.

In Washington state, the No. 2 wine-producing state in the country behind California, wine industry has an economic impact of an estimated $8.6 billion, with nearly 30,000 wine-related jobs.