WeeklySA_AdminGRAPEVINE: Analysing data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), US entity’s experts disclose rankings that confirm France’s prowess and place South Africa on sixth spot…
By WSAM Correspondent
BOSTON, US: The Top 10 countries producing the most wine, with France claiming the top spot and, has been revealed.
The list has been revealed by the international destination specialist Audley Travel’s experts who analysed latest data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), which provides information on grape and wine production to promote sustainable production and protect consumers.
Unsurprisingly, countries in Europe take five of the 10 spots — with France claiming the crown as the world’s leading wine producer. The country made 48 million hectolitres (equivalent to 1,920 Olympic-sized swimming pools) of wine in 2023, according to Statista, accounting for more than one fifth (20.2%) of total production in the year.
Italy and Spain trail close behind, responsible for 16.1% and 13.6% of global wine production, respectively. Between them, these three countries make up half of the world’s wine supply. Meanwhile, the (9.2%) and Chile (4.6%) round out the top five.
Audley’s destination experts reveal how you can experience each country’s best wine regions on a trip focused on food and drink.
Why is France ranked first, and how can you experience its wine?
Responsible for much of the world’s classic wines, from Pinot Noir to Merlot, and home to a staggering 87,000 wineries, France is a wine powerhouse, with Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, and the Loire Valley among its renowned regions.
“There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the unique culture and countryside of France’s different regions than through its remarkable wine experiences,” says French wine specialist LIZ.
Alongside vineyard trails, cellar tours, private tastings, and lessons in local production methods, many producers offer alternative wine-based activities, from gourmet picnicking among vines to grape-harvesting workshops.
Three hours to the north are the wine regions of Beaujolais and Burgundy, which visitors can explore on a wine-focused trip to France.
Other big wine-producing countries in the top five
Second only to France in quantity, Italy’s second-place ranking is thanks to its more than 400 types of grapes grown across 20 wine-making regions.
Spain may be the world’s third-largest wine-producing country, but it has more land under vine than France and Italy and is also the world’s largest organic wine producer thanks to its dry climate.
Beyond Europe, the US and Chile round out the top five wine-producing countries. Wine production in the US is concentrated in California, with tastings and tours on offer at some 6,000 wineries.
While California’s best-known wine destinations, Napa Valley and Sonoma County, often steal the spotlight, there are also lesser-known regions along the state’s central coast, like Santa Barbara, waiting to be explored.
In Chile, just an hour south of the capital, Santiago, Maipo Valley is the country’s most historic and popular wine region, home to some of the world’s finest cabernets, while the red-wine region of Colchagua Valley is known for its full-bodied syrahs and malbecs.
Audley Travel is an expert in individually designed travel, creating meaningful experiences in more than 80 destinations across all seven continents. Its dedicated destination specialists use their first-hand knowledge to plan your trip down to the finest detail, choosing experiences that speak to your passions and pairing you with local guides who are top of their field.
TOP 10 WINE-PRODUCING COUNTRIES
1. France – 20.20%
2. Italy – 16.10%
3. Spain – 13.60%
4. United States – 9.20 %
5. Chile – 4.60%
6. South Africa – 4.20%
7. Australia – 4.10%
8. Argentina – 3.70%
9. Germany – 3.60%
10. Portugal – 2.80%
EVENTS
CAPE & JOZI SHOWCASE
Wines exclusively produced for auction by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild will be up for grabs at the annual event at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West on October 4 and 5.
The Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction showcases rare and unique wines produced in small quantities. The event is open to all who wish to experience the fun and excitement of the Auction at the Lord Charles Hotel in person.
Pre-auction tastings in the run-up to the October auction event, there will be various opportunities to taste the 2024 Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction wines.
Two informal tastings will be hosted in Cape Town and Johannesburg towards the end of the month. The Cape Town Auction Showcase will be held on 22 August at Cape Town International Convention Centre and the Johannesburg edition at the Nedbank Atrium in Sandton on August 28. Tickets costing R500 per person and available via on Quicket.
WINE, WALK & CHEESE
Gauteng wine lovers are expected to head to the Far West Rand to attend the Wine on Route 2024 show in Skeerpoort, south of Haartebeespoort Dam, on August 10 and 11.
The event will be held at Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, Portion 260, Skeerpoort, from 10am on a day promising to be filled with great fun, music, wine and food.
Upon arrival, guests will receive a goodie bag with a wine glass, a day permit for the trails, water, biscuits, pen and some information on more than 45 wines.Then, they will enjoy a 4km trail walk along the scenic Skeerpoort River and Magalies River on farm lined by nine wine estates. Enjoy a pairing of wine with local cheese, a light snack.
VIP tickets include designated parking, waitron service with platters and wine in a privately sectioned off area. Batches are released every 15 min from 10h00-13h00. For more info, please contact us on admin@vangaalen.co.za or call us on 083 226 7734.
DELHEIM’S LANGA HOSTS DINNER
Wasomi Collection presents a dinner with Diners Club 2023 Young Winemaker of The Year Nongcebo Langa, who crafts wines at Delheim estate, in Johannesburg on August 14.
The outfit has organised the event as part of the women’s month edition of their wine experience to celebrate Langa’s achievements as young and upcoming winemaker as well as to highlight the great strides made by Delheim in consistently producing some of the country’s fine wines. Delheim is family-owned estate on the magnificent slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. Langa, who holds a MSc in Oenology Nongcebo from Stellenbosch University, has had prior working stints in Sonoma County, California at Dry Creek Vineyards as well as in Germany’s Pfalz region at the ninth-generation Hammel family winery.
Tickets, available via Quicket, cost R550 per person. The event will be held from 18h00 to 21h00. The venue is situated on Path Nomad, 44 Stanley Ave, Braamfontein Werf.
GRANGEHURST DINNER
Grangehurst winemaker Jeremy Walker will host a three-course dinner at Johannesburg’s Café Dolci on August 20.
Walker will partner with chef Jackie Righi-Boyd in a pairing of food and five wines from the prestigious Cape winelands farm, all to be enjoyed over anecdotes to be shared by both hosts.Established by proprietor-cum-winemaker Walker in 1992, the winery primarily focuses on producing handcrafted red wines and a dry rosé, all made using traditional winemaking practices. Years of experience and passion has enabled the farm to produce wines of the highest quality that can mature for long periods.
The boutique wine cellar is situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch.
Café Dolci is situated on Clarence Avenue, Craighall Park. Tickets cost R720 (including the tip). The event starts at 18h30pm. Booking via email zoran@dolci.co.za or 010 900 2274.
WINE AND FOOD FEAST
Pretoria’s tranquil retreat Kievits Kroon wine estate is to host a Gauteng Prawn and Wine Festival on Sunday.
Visitors will enjoy an all-you-can-eat prawn feast, wine tasting, live music, and a large variety of family-friendly activities. With a vast selection of prawn-inspired food stations, guests will be spoiled for choice on the day! Guests will also be given a number of wine tasting tickets and, with over 50 wines to choose from. For the kiddies, there’s a dedicated menu featuring kiddies’ favourites, jumping castles, and activities including race painting, Cupcake decorating, mechanical bull rides, Pedal go-carts, Lawn games, Pizza making.
Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate situated on 41 Reier Rd, Kameeldrift-East, Pretoria. Tickets for adults cost R750 per person and for kiddies R535 each. Toddlers under three years old enter free.
STELLENBOSCH WINE FEST
Wine Town Stellenbosch, the annual seven-day celebration of wine and wineland living, which started on Monday and ends this Sunday.
The highlight of the event is the Stellenbosch Wine Festival today and tomorrow. Hosted in the historic town hall, some 60 of the country’s best producers offer more than 200 wines for tasting, which are served alongside a never-ending harvest table of seasonal and local bites and delights.
The celebration is the culmination of a smorgasbord of family-friendly experiences organised by wine farms, restaurants, tour operators and guesthouses in South Africa’s wine capital.
A food feast will be commandeered by celebrated chef Bertus Basson and prepared by Bertus Basson. Festival dates and times: Today at 17:00 – 21:00 and Aug 3, 14:00 – 18:00. Tickets cost R490pp via Plankton and include 18 wine tasting tokens, live music and harvest feast.
