OIV confirms France as world's top wine producing country

By Erin Smith

Published: 27 October, 2014

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine has confirmed France is once again the world's biggest wine producing country, knocking Italy out of the top spot.

France produced 46.2 million hl of wine for the 2014 harvest, up 10% on last year, ahead of Italy which produced 44.4 million hl. Italy saw a 15% decline in production levels primarily due to a poor harvest, according to the OIV report.

OIV World Wine Ranking by Country 2014 OIV World Wine Rankings by Country 2014France is once again top world producing country according to OIV World Wine Ranking by Country 2014 estimations

Anne Burchett, of Sopexa UK, speculated at last week's France Summit, that France would once again become the top wine producing country in the world.

France may reclaim the top volume producer crown this year predicts @Anne_at_Sopexa. Sees a healthy crop for 2014. #francesummit
? Harpers Wine (@HarpersWine) October 21, 2014

The OIV confirmed that France overtook Italy at the top wine producing country in its annual estimates report which was released on October 23, 2014.

Overall global wine production for 2014 is estimated to be down by 6% to 271 million hl.

France is once again top world producing country according to OIV World Wine Ranking by Country 2014 estimations

OIV World Wine Production 2014 OIV World Wine Production 2014Trends in the world wine production 2014

Spain returned to an average level of production of 37 million hl down 19%, after having a record breaking year in 2013. Germany's wine production reached 9.7 million hl this year, which is up 16%.

Outside of Europe the US has had another record breaking harvest for the third consecutive year, with production estimates coming in around 22.5 million hl. New Zealand also may have a record breaking year with OIV estimates coming in at nearly 3.2 million hl, which is up an incredible 29%.

Chile's production levels took a hit this year due to frost with a 22% decline compared to 2013 to 10 million hl.

The top 10 wine producing countries are responsible for producing 80% of the world's wine, according to the OIV.

OIV Top 10 Wine Producing Countries 2014