-
French doctor on trial for ‘poisoning’ 30 patients
Anesthesiologist was on hand to resuscitate patients and ‘act like a hero’
-
Home renovation grant rules tightened in France
Firms must now provide clients with proper documentation
-
Birth rate eclipsed by deaths in France for first time in 80 years
Development will mean changes in strategy and planning for the country
France back at top of world wine list
France produced more wine than any other country this year, but its share of the world market is falling
FRANCE has reclaimed the title of the biggest wine producer in the world, after two years in second position behind Italy.
New figures from the Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin put France's production in 2009 at an estimated 45.7 million hectolitres.
This is up 9% on last year's result but represents only 17% of all the wine produced in the world in 2009 compared with 25% at the start of the 1990s.
Italy's production fell 3% to 45.5 million this year, with Spain in third position on 34.2 million.
OIV head Federico Castelluci said: "The world economic crisis has not spared wine consumption. In 2009 we saw world production slow down and demand fall."
About 18% of French wine this year was exported to the UK - down from 22% five years ago.
Related stories:
Violence erupts at winemaker protest
EU says no to mixed rosé
French lose their taste for wine