Spain poised to overtake France as world's number one wine producer by 2015

French wine production is set to decline from seven billion bottles a year, recorded between 2000 and 2004, to 5.9 billion in 2015, according to a new report.

The decline will continue to be spurred by a change in domestic consumption habits and the impact of the EU wine reform that requires some winegrowers to stop producing vines and ‘grub up,' according to research group Credoc on behalf of the Vignerons Independents winemakers association.

The association also predicts France's export market will continue to lose ground to the New World.

Spain has adapted to consumer-friendly trends including a move over to screwcaps, boxed wines, colourful labels and sophisticated marketing, but France has not, the report concluded.

by Shirley Webb

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