GLOBAL WINE PRODUCTION UP IN 2O15

The numbers are in and they look pretty good. Global wine production is estimated to have increased by 2% this year, according to a report by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). Initial estimates predict total production in 2O15 to have reached 275.7 million hectolitres. Italy saw the biggest rise ­­– producing 48.9 million hectolitres, up 1O% on 2O14 – followed by France, which produced 47.4 million hectolitres, a rise of just 1% compared with 2O14. After its bumper harvest last year, Spain’s production is now at a “slightly higher than average level”, producing 36.7 million hectolitres, down 4% on last year. The US saw volumes rise by .5% to 22.1 million hectolitres, which still falls short of the levels recorded in 2O13. Portugal and Romania saw volumes increase by 8% and 9% respectively, rising to 6.7 and 4.1 million hectolitres – a good result for Bulgaria following what was a very poor harvest in 2O14. In comparison, Germany saw volumes drop by 4% to 8.8 million hectolitres, and Greece by 9% to 2.7 million hectolitres. In the southern hemisphere, Chile reached a new record for vinified production with 12.9 million hectolitres, up 22.6% on 2O14, while Argentina saw a significant decline with volumes dropping by 12.1% to 13.4 million hectolitres. South Africa maintained its 2O14 level at 11.3 million hectolitres. In Australia and New Zealand production has remained stable for almost three years, at 12 and 2.4 million hectolitres respectively, excluding the “exceptional” 2O14 harvest in New Zealand.