While it is true that the confinement and restrictions to which we have been subjected in the last two years due to the damn pandemic, has triggered online wine sales, it is equally true that global wine consumption according to the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) has decreased by 3%. Now Where is the world's wine drunk? According to this organization, the top 10 countries that consume this alcoholic beverage the most only represent two thirds of world wine consumption.
As for world production, it is estimated that 292 million hectolitres of wine have been produced. This figure is higher than in previous years and has been one of the highest in the last 20 years. The total figure also includes sparkling wines and special wines. On the other hand, juices and musts are exclusive.
The fact is that wine is still the favorite drink of millions of people around the world. The reason is simple; It is a staple in both high-end parties and residences, which leads us to wonder Where is the world's wine drunk? In Cosme Vins we will respond based on the information revealed by the OIV.
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In which countries is the most wine drunk in the world?
People drink wine since the invention of agriculture and the discovery of grapes. This alcoholic beverage is so popular that September 4 commemorates the national wine day in Spain, as a way to give recognition to the historical relevance of the wine sector in the country. It is very difficult, therefore, for its mass consumption to disappear, despite its progressive decline.
Where the world's most wine is drunk It is a surprising fact because there has been an unexpected change in its consumption in recent years. Some unexpected countries have surpassed traditional wine-producing countries, such as France and Italy, in wine consumption, for example.
The most wine-drinking countries
It is normal to expect large consumers such as the United States, China, France or Italy to top the list of countries that drink the most wine, but you will be surprised that none tops the ranking.
The United States is even considered the largest consumer of wine in the world, reaching up to 3.2 billion liters of wine per year. However, this translates to only 9.9 liters per capita, which puts them in position 55 in total. In short, wine has not been the beverage of choice for most Americans for a long time. Anyway, the question is Where do you drink the most wine in the world? Let's see below which country leads the list of per capita consumption:
- Andorra
The creditor of the title, without a doubt, is Andorra. This small country with a population of just over 69,000 consumes 46 liters per person. This means that all the inhabitants of the countries empty around 76 bottles of wine a year.
- Vatican City
If Andorra is amazing and it is the country Where you drink the most wine in the world by head, then Vatican City is even more than amazing. Although it has a population of around 800 people, (none of whom are children), they consume 56.2 liters of wine per capita.
Several factors contribute to the high rate of wine consumption in Vatican City, and of course, it is the use of this drink in the religious sacrament of communion, demographics and availability of duty-free wine in the country.
Croatia, Portugal and France make up the top five wine-drinking nations in the world.
Europe is a major wine consumer
European nations dominate the top 10 wine-consuming countries worldwide, with Slovenia, Macedonia, Switzerland and Italy joining the other five countries.
In fact, nine of the top 10 countries are European. Most are also the best wine producers in the world, with Italy and France leading the way. Moldova, Austria and Greece complete the list of the best wine drinking countries in Europe and are among the top 20 in the world.
The reason? Simple; wine is part of almost every meal in Europe. It is not only appreciated by the wealthy and royalty, but also by college students, especially during parties and evenings. But where is Spain's wine consumption located? It is the 21st country in Europe and the 33rd in the world.
Wine consumption in the Caribbean
After knowing that Europe is the continent in where the world's most wine is drunk, It should be noted that Caribbean countries are also among the places where this drink is consumed the most.
With the mild winter sun being rare in some parts of the world, tourists flock to the region to enjoy the sun. The Falkland Islands and Saint Pierre and Miquelon drink a lot of wine, even in the old general ranking they ranked eighth with a record of 38.5 liters of wine consumption per capita. Aruba, the Cayman Islands and Sint Maarten are in the top 40.
Conclusions
Where the world's most wine is drunk It is a question often asked by the Spanish who feel a great fondness for the wine sector, but it is inevitable that they will not be surprised when they discover that Spain is not even among the top 10 most consuming countries on the continent.
However, this is a little relevant fact for those who really enjoy this millenary drink; And the most important thing is to know how to appreciate the wonderful notes and aromas that different types of wines give us. In fact, the most curious thing is how they make a gathering, a meeting, a love encounter or simply a celebration adopt a different and more special atmosphere.