France was knocked off the number one position for wine production by Italy, in the latest global figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), released on Wednesday. Overall, global wine production was up 2.0 percent on last year, to 275.7 million hectolitres (Mhl), although the organisation was still waiting to confirm figures from China and Russia, reports RFI.
Italy regained first place, which it lost to France last year, with production of 48.9 million hectolitres, up 13 percent on 2014. This year's good weather conditions have been ideal for creating a generous crop.
On the other side of the Alps in France, production stood at just 46.4 million hectolitres. A lack of rain and a heatwave have allowed for just a 1% increase in French production.
The world-famous regions and wine varieites of Beaujolais and Bourgogne were among the hardest hit and wine lovers could face a price rise in the coming months, according to French financial newspaper Les Echos.
Italy and France have traditionally been the two countries competing the for the title of world top wine producer, both in terms of quantity and quality, and regularly swap places.
In terms of wine output, Spain remains at a distant third place with 36.6 million hectolitres, whilst other EU states follow behind: Germany ranks fourth in the continent with 8.7 million hectolitres, trailed by Portugal (6.7 million) and Romania (four million).
Following the Europeans were the big wine-growers across the Atlantic: the United States (22.1 million hectolitres), Argentina (13.3 million hectolitres) and a record year for Chile, whose production was up 23 percent to 12.8 million hectolitres.