Oh no: global wine production in 2023 is the lowest in 60 years
News from wine country. In 60 years, global wine production has never been as low as it is this year. Will we soon have to fight over our favorite bottle?
The reason for the low production will not surprise you: climate change. Bad weather, such as extreme drought and flooding, spoiled many harvests. Wine-producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere in particular, as well as some European wine countries, were affected, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
Major dip in global wine production
2022 was not a great year for the wine industry either. The grape harvest was also disappointing then. But this year, the damage appears to be even greater: wine production fell by no less than 7% in 2023 compared with 2022. Okay, when you hear that between 241.7 million and 246.6 million hectoliters of wine are still being produced this year, your panic may subside a little. For reference: 1 hectoliter is equivalent to 133 wine bottles. So you can still stock up nicely, but honestly: this trend does not exactly make us very happy.
Italy is no longer the wine queen
What does that disappointing harvest look like when we zoom in on the wine-producing countries? As you have read, countries in the Southern Hemisphere in particular are the ones bearing the brunt this year. The OIV predicts that major wine-producing countries such as Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Brazil will produce 10 to 30 percent less wine. Ouch. Looking at Europe, we see that Italy, Spain and Greece in particular are dealing with a disappointing grape harvest. And that means, for example, that Italy has been dethroned as the queen of wine. Who is now the world’s largest wine producer? France!
The grape harvest is not disappointing in France alone; Germany, Portugal and even Romania are also doing quite well. In fact, production is improving. The same applies to wine production in California. More rain fell in the American state and temperatures were lower, creating very favorable conditions for the grape harvest. Now let’s just hope that more of those delicious Californian Chardonnays will be exported as well.
Saving up for wine?
Anyone who has ever had an economics lesson knows what a disappointing harvest can mean. Less production = greater scarcity = higher prices. Right? Well, not really (yet). Remember when France had a serious wine surplus? And how even the nuns had cellars containing God-knows-how-many wines? Those surpluses among wine producers can partly make up for the shortage. Plus: apparently, collectively, we drink less wine than we used to. Well, clearly I was not among the people surveyed for this study, but apparently it really is true.
Let’s hope this trend comes to an end next year, but I think I am going to keep a closer eye on my wine supply anyway.
Also read:
- 5 wineries where you can help with the grape harvest
- Red wine helps against colds
- You want this now: a wine tap for your home
Sources: Misset Horeca, De Telegraaf
