BOOZE BIZ BOOMING THIS CHRISTMAS

BOOZE BIZ BOOMING THIS CHRISTMAS

CARSON CITY, Nev. (Wireless Flash) -- Liquor manufacturers will be raising a big toast this New Year's Eve because business is booming. According to wine expert Jerry Mead, the buzz in the booze biz is that holiday sales this year will be the biggest in 10 years. Mead says much of the increase is attributed to people stocking up for Y2K parties as well as a renewed interest in giving booze as gifts -- but the increase in sales doesn't necessarily mean folks are boozing it up more. Alcohol industry expert Perry Luntz says even though more people are buying booze these days, they're actually drinking less. These days, the average person will only suck down a few drinks at holiday parties -- compared to the old standard of polishing off an entire bottle at each bash. Luntz also says the increase in hard liquor sales can be attributed to the increase in boozy office gifts, which were once considered politically incorrect.