Wine consumption in the US grew by 1.9% in 2012 to reach 318 million 9-liter cases, marking the 19th straight year of growth, according to 2013 Wine Handbook released by the Beverage Information Group.

Apart from continued economic stability, relaxed limits on direct shipments, and customers trading up to more premium-priced wines have lead to the growth of wine consumption in the country last year.

Domestic wines grew by 2%, while imported table wine increased by 1.5%.

Table Wine category saw a growth of 1.8% to reach 292.4 million 9-liter cases last year, primarily due to consumers’ choice in sweet wines, un-oaked chardonnays and red blends.

Champagne and sparkling wine category also saw growth in 2012.

The off-premise saw a 2.2% growth in cases and a 4.5% increase in dollars, but on-premise wine sales began to slow toward the last half of 2012 due to economic uncertainty.

Total wine dollar sales grew to $28.9bn in 2012 with off-premise and on-premise contributing a 56.4% and 43.6% respectively.

Despite the on-premise struggles, direct-to-consumer wine shipments saw success, contributing a $1.4bn to the wine industry last year.

The Beverage Information Group senior research analyst Adam Rogers said the larger wineries are choosing direct shipping as wholesalers consolidate.

"What started out as a primary way for boutique wineries to get their product to the public has gotten the attention of larger wineries as well," Rogers added.