In a new article in The Wine Spectator, the publication conducted a survey on their websites to try and gauge what American wine consumers thought about value wines. The results are fascinating.

• Spending patterns have stabilised a bit following last year's financial meltdown, with consumers saying that they are spending the same amount on wine than a year ago.
• Younger wine drinkers are spending more.
• Many respondents choose New World wines when looking for value. In the US, wines from Chile and Argentina are most popular.
• Consumers spend less or more depending on the varietal when looking for affordable wine.
• 72% of respondents say that they buy affordable wines for 'casual, weeknight meals'. The next most popular reasons for buying value wines were to take to parties, as an aperitif or stand-alone pleasure, or for education/ exploration.
• Red wine is the drink of choice, with 82% saying that they prefer it to white when buying affordable wines.