What is PA drinking? Bucks County spent $27.5M on this wine last year

Bucks County drinkers love their red table wine, shelling out more than $27.5 million on the classic in the last year alone.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reported the spending in its annual report for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, reflecting the drinking patterns of Pennsylvanians.

"In all 67 counties, whiskey ranked as the top share of sales," read a portion of the report. "Vodka had the second-highest share of sales in 63 counties, while red table wine ranked as the second-highest share of sales in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties.

"Tequila ranked second-highest in Philadelphia."

Increased liqour sales in Bucks County leads to higher county share

Bucks County accounted for $173.3 million in liquor sales, compared to $168.1 million the previous year.

That represents a 3.13% increase in sales, and raised Bucks County's percentage of statewide liquor sales to 6.84%.

Additionally, Bucks County drinkers spent $8,112,095 on ready-to-drink beverages; $7,914,275 on liquer/cordials; $7,340,682 on boxed wine; $3,650,951 on brandy/cognac; $3,637,783 on gin; and $1,375,237 on beverage wine.

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Wine led all liquor sales in Pennsylvania

According ot the PLCB, total sales were $2.96 billion, led by the sale of regular spirits, which accounted for $1.76 billion.

Regular wine sales accounted for $875.4 million, special order liquor accounted for $132.2 million, and luxury wine sales accounted for $79 million.

The sale of acccessories, along with e-commerce and various chairman programs accounted for the remainder.

"Of total sales, 74% occurred at retail, while 26% were made to licensees," read a portion fo the PLCB report. "For spirits, 78% of sales were retail sales to individual consumers, while 22% of sales were to licensees.

"Sixty-nine percent of wine sales were retail sales, while 31% of sales were to licensees, including those selling wine to go."

Volume and total sales increased during the holiday season, as December 2023 had 12.3% of yearly dollar sales, followed by November with 8.8%.

Total Pennsylvania liquor sales increase, but net income down

Even with Bucks County drinkers spending more on liquor, the PLCB noted a reduction in net income.

"In fiscal year 2022-23, the PLCB achieved total sales of $3.15 billion (including liquor and sales taxes), reflecting a $136.3 million, or 4.5% increase, over the prior year," read the PLCB report. "Net income for the year totaled $260.8 million, a decrease of $70.1 million or 21.2% as compared to fiscal year 2021-22.

But, it wasn't less drinking that led to reduced income, the state said.

"Increases to PLCB’s pension and workers’ compensation obligations were the biggest contributing factors to the decrease in net income."

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The PLCB also increased prices to aid the post-pandemic recovery, according to a news release.

Prices went up 4 percent on over 3,550 products at the state's Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores, according to the report.

"The increase, the first since 2019, was instituted to generate revenues needed to offset annual 8% increases in operating costs over the last four years, as well as projected cost increases related to personnel, distribution, leases and credit card fees, among other business areas," according to the PLCB.

How the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board spends liquor sale proceeds

In its annual report, the PLCB said it returned $869.7 million to the Pennsylvania General Fund.

Of that, $450.7 million came from liquor taxes; $177.6 million from state sales taxes; and $185.1 million in a straight ttansfer to the General Fund.

The Pennsylvania State Police also received $32.3 million for liquor law enforcement.

"The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs received $5.2 million to educate and prevent problem alcohol use," read the PLCB report. "Philadelphia and Allegheny counties received $11.5 million in local sales taxes, and local communities received $4.3 million in returned licensing fees."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County drinkers prefer red table wine, whiskey