While the proportion of Australians adults drinking wine is gradually declining across the nation, the proportion of those drinking wine at home in an average four week period has increased slightly.

According to Roy Morgan Research, in the year to June 2010, 47 per cent of Aussies 18+ drank wine in any given four weeks with 37 per cent of the population drinking it at home (also in an average four weeks).

Flash forward to June 2014, and the overall proportion drinking wine anywhere has decreased marginally to 46 per cent, while the proportion drinking wine at home has risen to 38 per cent.

Consumption at other off premise venues (private spaces where alcohol is not sold) has fallen over the last five years. In the 12 months to June 2014, 17 per cent of Australian adults drank wine at the homes of friends or family in an average four weeks, down from 19 per cent, and  two per cent drank wine at a picnic, barbeque, or somewhere else outdoors, down from three per cent.

Although the proportion who drank wine in bars, pubs and taverns grew from five per cent to six per cent, on premise drinking (at venues where alcohol is sold) generally remained fairly steady, and was significantly less popular than off premise drinking.

Angela Smith, group account director consumer products, Roy Morgan Research, said social habits also influence where people drink.

“Cultural Pioneers, for example, are 44 per cent more likely than the average Australian to share a drop at a friend or relative’s place in any given four weeks, and 116 per cent more likely to enjoy a wine down the pub,” said Smith.

“These young, independent singles play as hard as they work, with a social schedule that would leave some people gasping for breath.

“High earning, extroverted Smart Money individuals also enjoy the high life. In an average four week period, they are 117 per cent more likely to drink wine at a licensed restaurant or café and 99 per cent more likely to do so at a friend or family member’s home.”

Back to Nature were 14 per cent more likely than the average Aussie to drink wine at home in the last four weeks.

“Typically well set up in beautiful homes in scenic locations, these older, regional couples see no need to go out for a drink when they can relax on the back veranda admiring the view with a vino in hand,” Smith said.