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Wine News

After a low world vintage in 2017, 2018 sees a return to normal wine production levels

18 July 2019

World wine production has bounced back after a frost hit 2017 vintage with Italy the world's largest producer in 2018. Production around the world rose according to the latest figures from Organisation of Vine & Wine (OIV) ahead of its annual congress, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Total world volume rose by 17% to the highest levels since 2000, with many countries such as Italy, France, Spain and Chile all seeing growth of over a third.

The current top countries by production are:

Italy 54.8 mhl
France 48.6 mhl
Spain 44.4 mhl
US 23.9 mhl
Argentina 14.5 mhl
Australia 12.9 mhl
Chile 12.9 mhl
South Africa 9.5 mhl
China 9.1 mhl

Interviews and News for Italy

Italian wine with Ian D'Agata

Italian wine with Ian D'Agata

Ian D'Agata is an expert on regional Italian food and wine and managing director of the International Wine Academy of Rome. Ian gives an overview of the regions and key grape varieties to help get our heads around Italian wine.

Tuscan wine goes through a testing time

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has become the second Tuscan wine to come under investigation

British set to be biggest wine spenders in Europe

UK drinkers are predicted to become the biggest European spenders on wine within the next three years.

Wine seizure in San Gimignano

San Gimignano has become the latest Tuscan appellation to hit the headlines

Italian government guarantees Brunello

The Italian government is to guarantee that all exported Brunello is 100% Sangiovese.

American wine overtakes France

American wine sales have overtaken French wine sales in the UK for the first time ever.

Prosecco gets DOCG status

The Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadine DOC zone will become a DOCG from the 2009 vintage.

1.3 million litres of Brunello lose DOCG status

Italian police close investigation into the alleged adulteration of Brunello di Montalcino by declassifying 1.3 million litres of Brunello to the IGT category.

New low alcohol wines show off their units

A new low alcohol wine called Vetro will be one of the first to clearly display the units of alcohol on its front label in response to the government's Know Your Limits campaign.

Prosecco laws leave M&S without fizz

A new EU law that came into force in August last year has caught out Marks and Spencer with their Rosecco brand.

Father of Italian wine named Decanter Man of the Year

Giacomo Tachis named Man Of The Year 2011

Italy overtakes France as largest wine producer

Overall Italian wine production exceeds France including Prosecco production which out produced Champagne.

Rosso di Montalcino stays 100% Sangiovese

Producers in Montalcino, Italy have overwhelmingly rejected proposals to use grapes other than Sangiovese in Rosso di Montalcino.

Weather puts high pressure on wine harvest pricing

Smaller harvests in Northern Hemisphere could put pressure on prices

Screw or Cork It? Italy can now choose

Italian's approve use of synthetic corks and screwcaps for first time.

World 2013 Harvest Round Up

2013 harvesting begins across the globe what effect on pricing ?

Prosecco sales bubble over as Champagne falls flat

Global sales of Prosecco have overtaken Champagne.

Has the reign of Pinot Grigio finally come to an end?

Short supply of Pinot Grigio forces price increases for this popular white wine

France back on top but there's too much wine

France is world's biggest producer but there's still too much wine to go around.

Police seize drugs in Montalcino

After a lengthy investigation police seize drugs and arrest winery workers in Montalcino, southern Tuscany.

Australia knocked off the top spot for online sales

Report on UK online wine sales shows top 5 country sources

Trade plays down potential Prosecco shortage

The wine trade are downplaying speculation that there may be a shortage of Prosecco due to a difficult 2014 vintage.

Relax! Looks like Proscecco is due for a good harvest

After Prosecco shortages last year Italians predict a promising harvest this year.

Italy now world's biggest wine producer

Italy becomes Europe's largest producer while England grows at 4.4%

French say NON!

Iran meeting cancelled as French refuse to remove wine from menu.

Brexit ripples across wine industry

Brexit effects on wine industry

Italian wine estate vandalised

Vandals drain tanks in Italian wine estate

Prosecco applys for UNESCO status

Italy's Prosecco applys for UNESCO world heritage status

2017 shortfall in wine production

2017 wine production is down overall by 8% around the world. France, Italy and Spain, which produce half the world's wine, have been hit by severe frosts and fires.

Italian government investigates inspectors who they claim are complicit in diluting top wines

The Italian government is targeting 50 organisations for diluting top wines from around Italy.

China's top three on-trade suppliers by country

China’s wine sales in restaurants and bars were released in Wine Business Solutions latest report.

After a low world vintage in 2017, 2018 sees a return to normal wine production levels

World wine production has bounced back after a frost hit 2017 vintage with Italy the world's largest producer.

2017 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign was one to sit out, but Italy is gaining support

As the 2017 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign is about to be delivered it appears that most investors appear to have lost money. But Italy appears to be a country that is becoming more popular with LIV-ex investors.

Sassicaia fraudster caught with counterfeit wine worth €2 million

Fraudsters in Milan have been arrested after an investigation showing that cheap Sicilian wine was being bottled as the famous Super Tuscan Sassicaia.

OIV publishes the top wine producing countries in 2020 with Italy on top

Each year France and Italy vie to be the world's largest wine producing country, with this year Italy coming in at top place with 19% of the world's wine production vs France at 18%.

Franciacorta sales rise around the world

Franciacorta, the premium traditional method Italian sparkling wine from Lombardy, has seen sales soar in Italy, the US, Switzerland and Germany.

Australian Prosecco banned in Singapore

Singapore’s Court of Appeals ruled in favour of the Italian Prosecco Consortium effectively banning Australian Prosecco.

Interviews and News for International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)

World wine production falls to lowest level in 20 years

World wine production 2016 one of the poorest in 2 decades according to the latest figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

London plays host to the first Chinese wine tasting

London held its first Chinese focused wine tasting on Wednesday, with the IWSC showing of the medal winners from its Asian competition.

Wine harvest bounces back in 2018, with Italy taking the top spot

The Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has announced that 2018 was one of the bigger crops in the last 18 years with the three big producers Italy, France and Spain all with much larger crops than previous years.

After a low world vintage in 2017, 2018 sees a return to normal wine production levels

World wine production has bounced back after a frost hit 2017 vintage with Italy the world's largest producer.

World wine production down 10% in 2019 but back to the average

With the Northern hemisphere's grapes all but harvested, Spain, Italy and France all saw big drops in grape volumes.

OIV publishes the top wine producing countries in 2020 with Italy on top

Each year France and Italy vie to be the world's largest wine producing country, with this year Italy coming in at top place with 19% of the world's wine production vs France at 18%.