Sales of low-priced wine are being buoyed by thrifty consumers, who are drinking at home more often instead of dining out.
Particularly popular are domestic wines ranging in price from ¥500 to ¥1,000, prompting bottlers to promote relatively inexpensive wines whose sales can grow even in tough economic times.
Hiroshi Ueki, president of major wine producer Mercian Corp., said homemakers are drawn to displays in supermarkets and convenience stores showing an assortment of low-priced wines.