California wine sales rose as import sales fell.

Sales of California wines from January through May were up 7% over the same period last year. At the same time, according to California Wine Institute statistician Jim Crawford, U.S. sales of imported wines plummeted 18% from January through April. The improvement for the 670-winery, $5.5-billion California industry was statewide and included table, specialty and sparkling wines and the 50% white wine portion of popular wine coolers. Analysts attributed the decline in import sales mainly to the weaker dollar against foreign currencies, rising import prices and the growing popularity of the wine coolers.