France back at top of world wine list

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.

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