The world drinks a lot of wine—some 6.5 billion gallons in 2018, according to the Paris-based International Organisation of Vine and Wine.
The United States consumes the most of that output—some 872 million gallons. We’ve been number one since 2011. On a percentage basis, the U.S. drinks 13 percent of world wine production, followed by France at 11 percent, followed by Italy, Germany, and China. The United Kingdom, Spain, Argentina, Russia, and Australia take positions six through 10.
Italy was the world’s largest producer of wine in 2018—1.45 billion gallons, followed by France at 1.3 billion and Spain at 1.2 billion. Argentina and the U.S. round out the top five.
Spain is the world’s largest exporter of wine—552 million gallons, almost 20 percent of world wine exports. Spain, Italy, and France account for more than half of the world’s wine exports—1.45 billion gallons collectively. France is the largest exporter by value—$10.5 billion.
When it comes to wine consumption by individual states, California easily leads with more than 148 thousand gallons, followed by Florida with more than 71 thousand, New York with more than 67 thousand, Texas with more than 59 thousand, and Illinois with 35 thousand.
Per person wine consumption by state is another story. Idaho is the leader in per-capita wine drinking with 1.19 gallons per Idahoan. Washington, DC is next, followed by New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Vermont.
Small size and more adult populations skew per capita figures. For instance, the leading per capita wine drinking country in the world is Andorra, a Pyrenean principality (population 78,000) that is a ski destination and tax haven. Vatican City is number two. Croatia, Portugal, and France fill out the top five.
Although the U.S. consumes the largest quantity of wine, we don’t even crack the top 50 in per capita.
Tasting notes:
• Hess Select Chardonnay Monterey County 2016: Vivid fruits, restrained oak, very dependable and quaffable. $12-14 Link to my review
• Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2015: Rich, full in the mouth with hints of malbec’s inherent softness juxtaposed against serious tannin, fruit power, and alcohol sweetness. $20-21 Link to my review
• Domaines Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé By.Ott 2017: Elegant, smooth, creamy, bright, fresh with a noteworthy finish. Lovely Provence rosé color, too. $20-25 Link to my review
Last round: Over a glass of wine, a friend asked where I see myself in 10 years. I replied, “I’m just trying to make it to Saturday.”