At The Aerie, we’re both scientists that love to talk politics over happy hour and so it was with great interest this week that the Washington Post published an analysis of consumer data crossed with polling data by Jennifer Dube of National Media Research Planning and Placement.
Her analysis shows that certain wines and liquors skew to one side of the political spectrum more than others and that some skew towards people that vote regularly rather than those that vote rarely. Nationally, whiskey (and to a lesser extent whisky) trend GOP, while clear liquors trend democratic. And apparently, regular voters of each party have their own wines (Mondavi and Smoking Loon are the FoxNews and MSNBC of red wines, respectively), and Two-Buck-Chuck clearly appeals to the 47%. Curiously, sparkling wines tend Democratic.
The Aerie’s Shelves are highlighted in Green
I’ve layered on top the brands on the chart that are prominent on The Aerie’s shelves, which would suggest that we’re people that vote often and more likely than not vote Democratic. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. Note: Our favorite bourbons (Bulleit and Knob Creek) are not listed as are some of the more exotic bottles and smaller wine producers that we drink most regularly.
No idea where Greens, Libertarians or Tea Partiers might light up as subsets on this chart, but I’m pretty sure that Tea-Totalers are not represented.
What about you? Can you find yourself on the chart — and are you like others of your kind, or are you a drinking rebel?
Happy Friday!
Stevil 
You said ‘knob.’
I drink everything that can make it from a bottle to my mouth. Hang on, not beer (or anything with gluten but I never liked beer anyway, apart from a rare Newcastle to be Friendly with beer drinkers).
We’re not much of beer drinkers here either. I wonder how different beers would chart-out.
And I want to see the study that explains the politics of dancing, like the song.
And now that’s in my head.
Job Done.
Hmm, maybe this describes why I don’t like Robert Mondavi wines? Though I’m not a fan of Smoking Loon, either. (I always think, ‘For the price, I can find a lot better.’ And I have.) I also don’t see my favorite single-malt scotches on the chart, like Oban or Glenmoran. Maybe they’re non-political?
Thirst for alcoholic beverages seems to be a universal craving, no matter where one sits on the political spectrum. I just heard on NPR that only 20% of all Americans drink, however. I remain a skeptic!
Maybe you’re just not extreme in your politoimbibing… :) I think a lot of the smaller brands (single-malts, small batch liquors) weren’t large enough in consumption to get a bubble.
I can’t believe that only 20% of Americans don’t drink. You COULD get me to believe that 20% of Americans DON’T drink. Of course, that observation is probably skewed by the persons I associate with… :)
I’m sad to see Skyy on the right. Lol.
Glad to see Jameson’s on the left. We try so many wines, but I don’t see any of them here.
I don’t care for fruity or flavored drinks. Vodka. Whiskey. Wine and hoppy beers. I haven’t had a Smoking Loon.
I know — Skyy’s been the house vodka for mixed drinks around here for a while. Maybe I’ll switch to Russian Standard — that would CLEARLY be on the left!!! :)
As a fiscal conservative, most of my brands aren’t on the chart. And as a social liberal, I’ll gladly drink any of the brands that are on the chart!
What’s the (slightly modified) old saying: You can call me anything you want, just don’t call me late for happy hour… :)
Interesting analysis and picture, Steve :)
That’s my goal, Vishy! :)
It is an interesting analysis. I wonder whether or not the gender skew in party preference is a confounding factor? Did they look at that? It seems like age would also be a confounding factor.
Cloud — really, they should have just given us the raw data so we could plot it how we please! :D
Though the age-thing could be covered a bit in the high-turnout/low-turnout. If you look vertically, the brands go from “fancy” to “cheap” — suggesting younger voters.
Captain Morgan’s on the right? Say it ain’t so! o.O I may have to switch to Bacardi!
Interesting chart … thanks for sharing!
BIOLI — hah — we like us some Jack Daniels in this house, but it doesn’t surprise me that it’s a solid “right wing” blob. I think it mean we have open minds… :)
I’ll buy the “open mind” interpretation. Much better than spite-switching. :)
That’s just hilarious, Steve. I’ll tell you one thing, the chart doesn’t favor those with out of date prescription glasses. I had to save it as a picture so I could zoom the thing. :D
Funny, I’m sort of kind of a tea totaller, but I LOVE the taste of whiskey and bourbon (are those the same?), wines from New Zealand and rum (I believe those are the bipartisan ones?) I’d hope the third party drinks would be Long Island Iced Tea or Dark and Stormy. Because we need some bold contenders this year.
Green party……dark and stormy. Pun was not intended.