The Top wine drinking states in the U.S.

The wine industry is facing challenges globally, with consumption at its lowest since 1996. However, Americans continue to enjoy their wine, consuming over 910 million gallons in 2022, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). This translates to about 0.42 gallons per person annually. Wine consumption varies significantly across different regions in the United States. The South leads in total consumption, drinking 309.6 million gallons annually, while the Midwest consumes the least at 159.8 million gallons. However, on a per capita basis, the Midwest and South are nearly identical, with 0.36 and 0.37 gallons per person, respectively. The West, however, tops the per capita consumption chart with 0.53 gallons per person each year.

Washington, D.C. stands out with the highest per capita wine consumption in the U.S., at 1.05 gallons per person annually. This is significantly higher than any state or territory. New Hampshire follows with 0.80 gallons per person, likely influenced by its lack of alcohol tax, which attracts cross-border shoppers. Vermont ranks third with 0.72 gallons per person. On the other end of the spectrum, West Virginia has the lowest per capita consumption, at just 0.11 gallons.

In terms of sheer volume, the most populous states naturally consume the most wine. California leads with 156 million gallons, followed by Florida with 83.2 million gallons, and Texas with 62.4 million gallons in 2022. Conversely, states with smaller populations consume less. Wyoming, for instance, drinks the least wine overall, with just 1.1 million gallons annually.

Washington, D.C. also leads in per capita ethanol consumption, with an average of 1.05 gallons per person. This is based on the estimated pure alcohol content in beverages sold or shipped to each state. New Hampshire and Vermont follow, with 0.80 and 0.72 gallons per person, respectively. California, despite being fifth in per capita consumption with 0.62 gallons per person, tops the list in total volume due to its large population.

States with smaller populations or stricter alcohol regulations, like Utah, tend to have lower consumption figures both per capita and in total volume. West Virginia, Kansas, and Utah are at the bottom of the per capita list, with less than 0.20 gallons per person. West Virginia also ranks low in total volume, consuming just 1.2 million gallons, ahead of only South Dakota and Wyoming.

Some states, like Nevada, Florida, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Hawaii, have high per capita consumption, exceeding 0.57 gallons per person. In contrast, states like Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Mississippi, despite their alcohol production traditions, have lower per capita consumption, all below 0.25 gallons.

Midwestern states like Illinois, known for distilled spirits production, consume 39.5 million gallons in total, with a per capita average of 0.48 gallons. New York, with 59.3 million gallons in total, has an average individual consumption of 0.46 gallons. These figures highlight the cultural, demographic, and legislative factors influencing alcohol consumption across the U.S.

The data provides two perspectives on ethanol consumption: per capita and overall volume. Per capita figures reflect individual consumption habits, while overall volume is influenced by population size. Washington, D.C., New Hampshire, Vermont, and Delaware lead in per capita consumption, indicating higher individual consumption in these smaller states. Meanwhile, California, Florida, Texas, and New York dominate overall consumption due to their large populations.

States with high per capita but lower overall rankings, like D.C., New Hampshire, and Vermont, have small populations. Their high individual consumption doesn't translate to large total volumes. Conversely, states with high overall but mid-to-low per capita rankings, like Texas and Georgia, have large populations, driving up total volume despite lower individual averages.

California and Florida rank high on both lists, indicating both large populations and relatively high average consumption per person. At the low end, states like West Virginia, Kansas, Utah, Oklahoma, and Mississippi rank near the bottom in per capita consumption. Wyoming, South Dakota, West Virginia, and North Dakota have the lowest overall consumption, largely due to small populations. West Virginia is notably low on both lists.

This analysis helps understand where average individual alcohol consumption is highest or lowest and which states represent the largest markets for alcohol sales by total volume. The data estimates pure ethanol consumption based on average alcohol content in wine, beer, and spirits sold or shipped, not direct measurement of individual drinking.