China now has the 2nd largest area under vine in the world

While many people in the UK still have not tried Chinese wines, China now has the 2nd largest area under vine, one place behind Spain. France is relegated to 3rd place.

China, like Spain, does not produce as much wine as Italy and France who are often vying for the number one spot in term of the most wine produced. Spain may have more vineyards planted but much of the area under vine is in La Mancha, where the arid dry conditions means that vine spacing is very high and so production is much lower than area under vine.

China is usually ranked in 6th place for production behind Italy, France Spain, USA and Australia. However as the newly planted grapes become viable, China should overtake Australia in the next 2-3 years.