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According to an OIV report, global wine consumption stands at 267 million hectoliters. But which are the world’s major wine producing countries?
Well, Italy, France, Spain, and the United States are responsible for more than half of the world’s wine output, with just 28 countries producing a whopping 85% of it. Interestingly, many top wine-producing nations are also big consumers.
Let’s delve into the top 10 countries leading the charge in wine production.
A FAO report reveals that Italy stands as the top wine producer globally, boasting an impressive 4.796 million tons of wine annually. With over a million vineyards spread across each region, locally cultivated grapes thrive. They are also supported by the ideal climate for grape cultivation. It’s these very factors that have earned Italian wine its well-deserved reputation for exceptional quality worldwide.
Famous wine types: Chianti, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino
Learn more about Italian wines: www.world-ratings.com/best-italian-wines
France is among the top wine producing countries, ranking second worldwide. The key winemaking concepts commonly used are the AOC system (appellation d’origine) and Terroir. This is a French word that means “a sense of place.” When people talk about wine having terroir, they’re saying it tastes like how wine from that specific region should taste.
Famous wine types: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne
Spain is another one of the major wine producing countries. In fact, it ranks third in global wine production. With over 400 grape varieties, its main wine regions include Rioja, Priorat, and Andalusia. The last one is particularly famous for Sherry. This is a type of wine made from white grapes. Dry versions often use the Palomino grape, while sweet ones, like cream sherry, might include Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Moscatel varieties.
Famous wine types: Rioja, Tempranillo, Cava
The United States, though relatively new to winemaking, stands as a global heavyweight, producing a well-recognized 3.3 million tons of wine. Covering over 1.2 million acres, the production area is concentrated mainly on the West Coast, which accounts for 90% of the total wine production. Leading the pack are E and J Gallo Winery, representing a quarter of all American wine sales.
Famous wine types: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County Chardonnay, Oregon Pinot Noir
Australia boasts a massive market exceeding 2 billion dollars for domestic wines. The country produces more wine than it consumes, thanks to its excellent quality-to-price ratio. Their success stems from embracing new technologies and innovative practices from the start, leading to substantial growth.
Famous wine types: Shiraz (Syrah), Barossa Valley Shiraz, Hunter Valley Semillon
Argentina remains one of the biggest wine producing countries in the world, even though the product isn’t always up to par qualitatively compared to its competitors. Yet, there are regions in Argentina that are striving to improve their wine quality, especially those near Chile. Here, the environmental and climatic conditions are similar to those known for producing higher-quality wines.
Famous wine types: Malbec, Mendoza Malbec, Torrontés
The most widely cultivated grape in South Africa is Chenin Blanc, used predominantly in the production of common wines. Additionally, various white grape varieties are grown, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Colombard, and Cape Riesling. Constantia, known for its cool climate and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, holds the distinction of being South Africa’s oldest wine region.
Famous wine types: Pinotage, Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc
Recently, China has been becoming one of the world’s largest wine producing countries. In several cities across China, numerous specialized wine shops are emerging, reflecting a growing interest among Chinese consumers to explore this new frontier. It’s not surprising that wine consumption in China has tripled in recent years.
Famous wine types: Changyu Cabernet, Great Wall Dry Red
Portugal is famed for its two most renowned wines, Port and Madeira, which have both gained worldwide acclaim. In terms of quantity, Portugal stands as the ninth largest wine producing country, with a per capita consumption of 47 liters. Their winemaking is steeped in tradition. In fact, for the production of certain wines, grapes are still crushed with feet in the classic vats known as “lagares.”
Famous wine types: Vinho Verde, Douro, Dão
Germany is famous for its expertise in white wine production. In fact, white wines dominate two-thirds of the German market. Their unique quality system is attributed to the ideal climate of their territory. Their wines stand out with a high level of acidity, setting them apart from others.
Famous wine types: Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Noir
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