France, with stable production in 2023, once again becomes the leading supplier of wine in the world ahead of Italy, where production fell by 12%, notes the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) in its first assessment of the 2023 harvest, published this Tuesday, November 7.
Between early frosts, torrential rains, mildew and droughts, world wine production has fallen this year by 7%, to its lowest level since 1961. Wine production should total between 241.7 and 246 million hectoliters, according to information collected by the OIV in 29 countries representing 94% of world production. In the northern hemisphere, like Italy, wine production particularly suffered from various hazards in Spain (-14%) and Greece (-45%).
In France, even if production is stabilizing as a whole, there are significant disparities, notes the OIV. Bordeaux and the south-west region faced the spread of mildew while Languedoc-Roussillon was affected by heat waves and drought. “Particularly large” volumes are, however, expected in Cognac, Corsica and Champagne, underlines the OIV.
The United States is making progress
In the southern hemisphere, Australia (-24%), Argentina (-23%), Chile (-20%) and South Africa (-10%) were particularly affected. A few countries have done well, starting with the United States (+12%), which retains its place as the 4th global supplier, thanks to cool temperatures and heavy winter rains in the wine-growing regions of Napa and Sonoma.
The drop in production is not necessarily bad news, however, notes the OIV. “With global consumption in decline and high stocks in many regions of the world, this expected low production could rebalance the global market,” underlines the organization.
The fact that France is once again becoming the world’s leading producer leaves the president of the Vignerons Coopérators de France, Joël Boueilh, indifferent. “I rather want to have winegrowers who produce wines that sell well,” he said during a press briefing in mid-October.