• by Nina Lentini , April 6, 2007

In a year that saw record sales of table wines, IRI has identified the Top 30 brand performers of 2006 in its third annual report, just released.

"Wine makers do a great job of demystifying the product and are also having a little fun with it at the same time," says Bump Williams, general manager, IRI Beer, Wine and Spirits Practice, in a statement. "Just like last year, we are continuing to see the trends of eye-catching packaging, advertising and grocery displays. And now, we're even seeing some non-traditional premium box wine that is hitting the mark with consumers."

To qualify for the study, brands had to meet a minimum requirement of 100,000, nine-liter cases sold.

In addition to the top 30 ranking, the study also revealed the following key trends that are driving the growth of today's rapidly evolving table wine marketplace:

• " An increase in merchandising support appeared to contribute to the success of the top 30 brands; all brands experienced an increase in weeks of support and the majority of brands had significant incremental sales gains from promotion
• " 23 of the top 30 brands are domestic table wines from California " Imported table wine brands held five of the 30 spots, with Australia as the No. 1 import country of origin with four brands
• " The vast majority of brands, 83%, are premium priced at $5.50 and above
• " Nearly all, or 28 out of 30 brands, increased their presence at retail with an increase in distribution
• " 26 of 30 brands that made the ranking grew double digits or more in dollar sales during the 52 week period; 26 out of 30 brands grew double digits in volume sales

Top 30 Table Wine Brand Performers

Rank	Brand
1	Barefoot
2	Francis Coppola
3	Sterling Vintner's Collection
4	Chateau Ste. Michelle
5	Crane Lake
6	Bogle Vineyards
7	Smoking Loon
8	J Lohr
9	Mirassou
10	La Crema
11	The Little Penguin
12	Rex Goliath
13	Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve
14	Fish Eye
15	Pepperwood Grove
16	Blackstone
17	Lindemans
18	Five Oaks
19	Sutter Home
20	Clos du Bois
21	Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull
22	Rodney Strong
23	Yellow Tail
24	Black Box Wines
25	Columbia Crest
26	Estancia
27	Chateau St. Jean
28	Cavit
29	Jacob's Creek
30	Foxhorn

Providing forward-looking insight about key brands to watch in the year ahead, IRI also announced the following Table Wine Top 10 New Brands, based on dollar sales in 2006:

Rank	Brand
1	Trove
2	Cycles Gladiator
3	Little Black Dress
4	Bohemian Highway
5	Marq
6	Red Guitar
7	Lost Vineyards
8	Mattie's Perch
9	Rubeus of Lore
10	French Rabbit