If you think you and your friends are contributing to your first place win in statewide wine consumption, forget it.

Although California accounts for 80 percent of the country’s wine production, its residents don’t drink the most. That title goes to Washington, D.C. with 1.01 gallons per person. The reason is most likely the political arena and people coming from neighboring states for cheaper wines and better selection.

I lived in Maryland for 35 years and often traveled to Washington, D.C., to purchase wine at lower prices. Maryland ranks 26th with a meager .40 gallons per person.

New Hampshire is second in per capita consumption, but probably for the same reason.

The South drinks the most wine by volume but the West drinks the most wine per capita.

These numbers come from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.