A troubled economy doesn’t necessarily mean declining wine sales, Danny Brager, vice president, beverage alcohol, Nielsen, writes in a recent Progressive Grocer column. 

Brager cites Nielsen research showing that, while almost 50% of consumers have reduced their overall spending, wine sales remain healthy.

Growth of premium wines has declined slightly, but the category remains strong overall — perhaps because consumers tend to view wine as an affordable luxury, Brager notes. 

If the current trend continues, he concludes, wine may emerge as a ”recession-resistant” category.