A new report establishes the list of the most impacted wine regions in Europe.
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Global wine production has reached a historic low in 2023 and climate change could be to blame, according to a new report.
The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) says production has reached its lowest level since 1962. This intergovernmental organization has 50 member states, representing 75% of the world’s wine-growing area.
Experts blame “extreme environmental conditions,” including droughts and fires, for the downward trend in production.
Although climate change is not entirely to blame, according to the OIV, these conditions represent the biggest challenge facing the sector. Grapes are often grown in regions of the world that are heavily impacted and extremely vulnerable to climate change.
These conditions led to a sharp decline, affecting major wine regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. That’s even worse than initial estimates made in November, the organization said this week.
In the EU, wine production fell by 10% in 2023, the second lowest volume of wine recorded since the beginning of the century.
In some countries, a rainy spring caused mold, flooding, damage and losses in vineyards. Others, particularly those in southern Europe, suffered from persistent severe drought.
Where in Europe are wine producers suffering the most?
L’Italy was one of the wine producing countries that suffered the most with a drop in productivity of 23%. Heavy rains that caused downy mildew in central and southern regions as well as flood and hail damage resulted in the lowest production volume since 1950.
Production also declined due to climatic conditions in other European wine-producing countries. Germany recorded a decline of 3.8%, Hungary 2.1% and Austria 6.5%.
Spain also saw a notable decline, reaching its lowest production since 1995, a drop of more than 20% compared to 2022 and 25.7% below the five-year average.
Some regions of the country have experienced persistent severe water shortages in recent years, with a drought emergency declared in Catalonia earlier this year.
Experts have warned that regular droughts could become the “new normal” in the Mediterranean by mid-century if we do not act immediately on climate change.
The drop in production comes with news that wine consumption is at its lowest level since 1996 due to rising prices due to inflation and a sharp drop in wine consumption in China due to economic slowdown.
