China wine industry: a remarkable pace

There are about 7.5 billion gallons of wine made annually by about 70 countries. Most folks would probably guess who the league leaders are. For the harvest of 2007, Italy lead the pack producing 1.23 billion gallons of wine, but France was right behind with1.21 billion gallons. Together these two countries make one third of the world’s wine.

Spain is coming on strong as better yields are resulting in higher production for the world’s largest vineyard. Spain made just under a billion gallons in 2007.

The US, with California way out front, produced 530 million gallons while Argentina rounded out the Top 5 with 400 million.

Now here’s the surprise. China is the 6th largest producer with 320 million gallons. And, although it looks to be stabilizing, this country has been planting grapes –for eating purposes and for winemaking use—at a remarkable pace for the last decade.

Germany (270 million gallons), South Africa (260), Australia (250 and declining, believe it or not) and Chile (220) round out the Top 10. These 10 nations, by the way, account for more than three fourths of the world’s production.

Now just to put all this in perspective, the world makes almost 6 times as much beer as it does wine. (China ranks 1st, we rank 2nd and Germany is 3rd)