(WineSpectator) - If you’ve ever been tempted to hop on a plane and take an impromptu trip to Europe, now is the time. With the dollar at a 12-year high, currently at $1.07 against the euro, Americans have the opportunity to book a 5-star Italian hotel or overindulge at a French bistro without the financial regret that would have accompanied such splurges just a few months ago.

Changing exchange rates are also impacting the wine industry, albeit slowly. European wines should be cheaper when paying with dollars, but wineries and merchants are just beginning to pass those savings along to the consumer. And the strong dollar is spurring European vintners to give the U.S. market more attention. As for American wineries, the impact is muted for premium wines, but it's changing the selection of value wines we see on grocery store shelves.

In a simplified economic model, a depreciated euro would mean lower-priced European wines in the United States, enticing Americans to purchase more of those wines. On the flip side, we’d expect domestic wineries to suffer as they attempted to sell their now-more-expensive wines abroad.

But American wine consumers shouldn’t expect big savings on European wines just yet. Wineries tend to be cautious on letting prices fall. And because the U.S. wine market operates on a three-tier system, explained Dave Holt, president of importer Dalla Terra, “there’s no guarantee that if we lower our price that that price will show up at the consumer level any time soon.” Wineries, importers, distributors and retailers would all have to agree on a lower price point before consumers see savings.

In the past month, some retailers have begun offering lower prices they credit to the strong dollar—but it's just a trickle so far. “I think what maybe happened when the euro started plunging against the dollar is that some people in the business felt like this was an opportunity to pocket the difference,” said Nicholas Jackson, wine buyer at Sotheby’s. “But now, the public is so well aware with what’s going on with the exchange rate that it’s very hard to get away with that.” He expects retailers to begin big marketing campaigns in coming months touting their latest offerings purchased at the new exchange rate.

Don’t expect to see those lower prices reflected in the 2014 en primeur campaign in Bordeaux, which kicks off this month. After three consecutively poor campaigns, a group of leading U.K. wine merchants released an open letter in January calling for a universal price reduction.

But château owners know they can give U.S. consumers more buying power without lowering prices, thanks to the strong dollar. “There’s really no incentive for anyone to reduce their prices when they know they could offer the same price and [the wines will cost] less for us than they were last year,” said Jackson. In his estimation, even if a château keeps prices identical to last year, Americans would see a 25 percent price reduction. Several château owners have hinted they will raise prices slightly.

While big savings have yet to arrive, foreign wineries have begun to see the benefits of a bullish U.S. market. Catherine Miles, vice president of Broadbent Selections, whose portfolio includes wineries in Europe, South Africa and Australia, says that the strength of the dollar is leading foreign producers to see America as a land of opportunity. They see the potential for increased sales in upcoming months and have been dedicating more money to better by-the-glass and retail programs.

Champagne producers in particular are taking note. Historically, a strengthening U.S. economy correlates with an uptick in bubbly sales, no matter the value of the euro. Sam Heitner, director of the U.S. Champagne Bureau, said U.S. sales started improving in 2011. In the years since, Champagne prices have remained steady, but inventory has moved more quickly off shelves, and producers have been able to import and sell more cases in the U.S. A stronger dollar will only strengthen the trend.