Wine is one of the world’s favorite beverages. Europeans lead the world in wine consumption. Vatican City is at the top of the wine-drinking locations, with the average resident consuming 54.26 liters of wine each year.
(Pixabay / Wokandapix)
Wine is produced in many countries in the world. The following countries are the top producers of the beverage based on the 2017 report of the International Organization of Vine and Wine. Quantities are given in thousands of hectoliters.
- Italy – 39,300
- France – 36,700
- Spain – 33,500
- USA – 23,300
- Australia – 13,900
- Argentina – 11,800
- China – 11,400
- Chile – 9,500
- Germany – 8,100
- Portugal – 6,600
Italy has many wine-producing regions that supply the world with its beloved drink. Italian wines are famous globally for their unique varieties. Italian grapes are grown in almost every part of Italy, with more than one million vineyards currently in cultivation.
Wine is the largest source of Italian food exports. However, Italian wine production recently suffered a decline, however, due to frost damage. This caused the country’s wine output to decline by about 25 percent. The harvest is expected to rebound next year, though.
France ranks as the world’s second largest wine producer, with vineyards in most parts of the country. France provided many of the most popular grape varieties that are well loved all over the world. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Pinot noir, Syrah, and others are all French varieties, but they are now grown in many wine-producing countries. French wine production is falling due to new competition from such countries such as Australia and South Africa.
Many countries are ramping up their production of wine, including the United States and Argentina. The drink is holding strong, with wine consumption at an all-time high.