The first half of 2010 experienced "marked improvement" in sales of wine priced above $15, according to Rabobank's Stephen Rannekleiv in the Rabobank Wine Quarterly report, obtained by WSD. There are "improving trends" in direct-to-consumer sales, while the on-premise "appears to be stabilizing." Distributors told the firm that volumes of super-premium wines "are indeed well above last year's levels," but dollar values "are rising more slowing due to price reductions and discounting." The "true litmus test" will be in the second half of 2010 because comparisons will not be so easy, says the report.