This
week, it has come to the attention of Ideal Wine Company that France has
overtaken Italy to once again become the world’s foremost producer of wine.
What does this mean for the world of
wine?
Whilst
global wine production was down for many nations on last year, the French have
seen a substantial increase output to regain the number one position – the
first time since 2011. Their production for the year is thought to equate to 46million hectolitres.
Runners-up, Italy, but saw
production drop 15% this year, to 44 million hectolitres, after a less
than ideal harvest. Production in other big producers such as Spain, the US,
and Chile also went down.
Whilst Australia and Argentina
didn’t see much difference, New Zealand, South Africa and Germany also saw
considerable increases in production.
What are the reasons for this?
So it seems a lot of countries
have produced then. The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (IOV)
blamed the global decline from last year on “significant climatic hazards,
which are at the root of these developments, particularly in Europe.”
However it appears that these
adverse weather conditions didn’t affect French vineyards who saw their
production increase by 10% on the previous year.
A turning tide..?
Interestingly though, whilst
the French have been producing more wine, it has been reported that they are
drinking less of it.
French wine consumption fell by
7% this year as the United States beat them to become the world’s largest
consumer of wine, despite only having half the output as their transatlantic
counterparts.
The report also found that ten
countries alone were responsible for 80% of the world’s wine production. In
order, these countries are: France, Italy Spain United States Argentina Australia
China South Africa Chile and Germany
Final thoughts…
We at Ideal Wine Company would like to
congratulate the French for their rise back to the summit of the wine world.
Ideal Wine Company can’t speak highly enough about the wine making regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, the two foremost regions where our vintages
originate from.
