France is EU’s top wine producer

FRANCE is set to be Europe’s top producer of wine again after being overtaken by Italy last year.

French wine production is set to reach 50 million hectolitres this year, up 11% compared to 2010.

According to the latest estimates by the European Commission, Italy, France’s rival for the top position, has seen its production drop 17% to 42 million hl.

This is said to be due to an increasing number of Italian vines being pulled up.

Spain’s production, meanwhile, has dropped 9% to 36.5 million hl.

The increase in French production is not expected to have any effect on prices, as the EU overall has seen its production go down 2% to 160.3 million hl. The offer and demand are therefore well balanced, wine industry experts say.