The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has reported a 7% drop in global wine production compared to the previous year, marking the smallest harvest since 1961.

Attributing this decline to extreme weather conditions, including early frost, heavy rainfall, and drought, the intergovernmental organization monitors wine production and consumption globally. These adverse weather events have significantly affected vineyards in major wine-producing countries across both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Countries such as Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, and Brazil in the Southern Hemisphere, along with Italy, Spain, and Greece in the Northern Hemisphere, experienced year-over-year variations ranging from -10% to -30%. The OIV highlights that these fluctuations are mainly a consequence of unfavorable weather conditions during the crucial growing season.

Despite the evident link between extreme weather and climate change, the OIV has not explicitly made this connection. The implications of these climate-related challenges are clear as the global wine industry faces a significant setback.

Looking ahead, the OIV estimates that only 244.1 million hectoliters of wine will be produced worldwide in 2023, marking the lowest level since 1961 when production stood at 214 million hectoliters. To put this in perspective, a hectoliter is equivalent to 133 standard wine bottles.

In a surprising turn of events, France has claimed the title of the world’s top wine producer for the first time in nine years, maintaining its production levels. Italy, despite a 12% drop, secured the second spot, while Spain remained third despite a 14% decrease. Overall, the European Union experienced a 7% decrease in wine production, reaching 150 million hectoliters, marking the third-lowest since the beginning of the century.

Notably, Germany bucked the trend with a slight increase in production.

The United States, ranking as the fourth-largest wine producer globally, witnessed a 12% increase in production in 2022. This surge can be attributed to cooler temperatures and heavy winter rains in California’s Napa and Sonoma valleys.

The OIV suggests that the current low production levels could paradoxically help stabilize the shrinking global wine market and address high inventory levels. As the industry navigates these challenging times, the focus remains on adapting to and mitigating the impact of climate change on wine production globally.