New forecasts released by industry body the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) indicate that global wine production is set to decrease in 2016. Ideal Wine Company reports.
Falling production
2015 was considered a good year for wine, with healthy vintages. Many experts, for instance, predicted that the 2015 Bordeaux would be magnificent, due to the inclement weather the region experienced. Last year, OIV figures show, global wine production rose by 2% to hit 275.7m hectolitres.
Speaking recently at a press conference, OIV official released their production forecasts for this year. According to The Drinks Business, the OIV believes that worldwide wine production will decrease by around 5% in 2016, dipping to 259m hectolitres, making it one of the worst years since 2000.
Assessing vintages
Elaborating, OIV officials explained that bad weather conditions across Europe and South America damaged grape yields. Earlier this year, for example, hailstorms damaged vineyards in Cognac, which is known for its eponymous brandy. Growers estimated that these storms, which saw hailstones as large as quail eggs, damaged between 6% and 8% of vineyard land in Cognac, limiting production.
Climate is an important consideration in a region’s terroir, along with its soils and terrain, meaning that it has ability to drastically impact the way a wine tastes. What does this mean for 2016 vintages? Europe experienced a long, dry summer this year, causing droughts. Yes, this may have dented production, but experts argue it could supply a greater quality and concentration of grapes this year.
National figures
Meanwhile, OIV also revealed production figures according to nation. In 2016, the body estimates, Italy will remain the largest wine producer on earth, although volumes will drop by 2% on last year, to reach 48.8m hectolitres. France, according to the body, will again be the second largest wine producer in the world, although its figure is also expected to fall in 2016, by a massive 12%, to 41.9m hectolitres.
OIV believes that Spain will come third in 2016, with the Iberian nation’s wine production rate increasing by 1%, hitting 37.8m hectolitres. Coming next, German and Portuguese production is also expected to decline in 2016, by 4% and 20%, to 8.4m and 5.6m hectolitres, respectively. Finally, this year’s El Nino phenomenon is also expected to damage wine volumes in South American countries like Argentina (-35%) and Chile (-21%), when compared with 2015.
Image courtesy of msassenberg
Ideal Wine Company 