France loses out to Italy as world’s top wine producer

In 2015 France lost its status as the world’s top wine producer to Italy, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (Organisation Internationale de la vigne et du vin), a sign of changing habits and increasing global competition.

The last few years have been a rocky road for the French wine industry.

Despite France’s reputation for producing the world’s best wine, the country has lost out to both Italy and Spain in exports for the last eight years.

France lost out to Italy in 2011 in terms of production, then got back to top place in 2014. But in 2015 Italy fought back, producing 49 million hectolitres to France’s 47 million .... http://www.france24.com