We often get reports from analysts for the wine industry that touts the growth of wine consumption or laments its fall — which is the recent case. Now, I saw a report from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism that ranks the states according to consumption. It reminds me of the time I gave my guests a portable breathalyzer to determine if they were too drunk to drive home. Instead, they used it to see who was the most intoxicated. Ranking states can be seen a judge of success or failure.

Washington, D.C., was number one. The per capita consumption is 1.07 gallons. It’s top ranking is no surprise given that legislators are literally wined and dined. More surprising was the second state for per capita consumption: Delaware. I guess there is nothing else to do there. Same for New Hampshire and Vermont, two cold-weather states ranking third and fourth respectively.

Oregon and California, two states that make the most wine in this country, ranked fifth and sixth.

Holding down last place was West Virginia, where I suspect beer is king.