02/19/08 Wine Industry Impacts P2

Wine Industry Impacts Part 2. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The Washington wine industry recently received some great news. The industry is having a major impact on the state as a whole. From jobs to tourism, wine is good business for Washington. In fact it translates to about 3-billion, with a "B," dollars. Robin Pollard, Executive Director for the Washington Wine Commission says the industry is really being accepted on a worldwide level. POLLARD: We continue to get accolades from wine critics from around the world and our wines are certainly getting their due recognition for being extremely high quality and such a great value. Another study released shows that Americans are really embracing the whole wine culture. POLLARD: They reported that the U.S. is now the largest wine consumption market in the world and that we are seeing a significant increase in wine consumers with the younger generations  the millennial's as we refer to them. It also showed that while women were traditionally the wine drinkers, the number of men now drinking wine is about even. POLLARD: So I think it really is all indicators that the U.S. consumer in our culture is changing to incorporating wine into our meals and part of our lifestyle. I think that deserves a toast. Does red or white wine go better with good news? That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.