Wine Sales Up: Sales of California table...

Wine Sales Up: Sales of California table wine rose 5% to 317 million gallons in 1994, marking the strongest performance in more than a decade, according to the Wine Institute, a trade industry group. The institute said estimated 1994 sales revenues grew to a record $2.6 billion. White Zinfandel continued as the leading varietal table wine, with a 14% share of supermarket volume. Chardonnay had a 12% share of total volume, although it remained the market leader in dollar sales, with 20% of supermarket revenue. Red wines continued to gain ground, however. Sales of Cabernet Sauvignon, the leading red varietal, grew 22% in volume. Merlot sales grew 45%, Pinot Noir 40% and Red Zinfandel 23%.