18 Nov 2018
The report covers the areas under vines, grape production, wine production and consumption, and wine import and export volumes.
- In 2017, the world area under vines rose to 7,534 kha.
- Global grape production reached 73 mt in 2017.
- 2018 world wine production (excluding juice and musts) is estimated at 279 mhl.
- 2017 world wine consumption is estimated at 244 mhl.
12 Nov 2018
Organised by the Union of Georgian Oenologists, with support from the National Wine Agency of Georgia and technical assistance from Poliproject Exhibitions (Moldova), this competition, which was placed under the patronage of the OIV, brought together 200 samples of wine and spirits from 12 countries.During the opening ceremony, the Georgian Minister for Agriculture, Mr Levan Davitashvili, emphasised his country’s efforts to develop and modernise its vitivinicultural sector, with this competition presenting a timely opportunity to demonstrate Georgia’s ambitions in this field. These aspirations are expressed through the slogan, ‘Georgia – Homeland of Wine’. The Director General of the OIV, during an interview with the Minister, recalled the OIV’s contribution to the Georgian authorities’ efforts, notably through the hosting of a presentation of Georgian wines each year at the Organisation's headquarters in Paris, and also through the initiative begun in 2017 that aims to define the white wines made using the traditional Qvevri method.In addition, Jean-Marie Aurand praised the active presence of Georgian experts in the Organisation's scientific work, with some of these experts having already taken on responsibilities within the expert groups.Thousands of years of history The Georgian vitivinicultural sector comprises more than 600 businesses, which produce more than 900,000 hL of wine, nearly 50% of which is exported.Georgian wine production has a long history dating back thousands of years. The first traces of the cultivation of vines go back 8000 years, and in Georgia some wines are made using a traditional winemaking process (the Qvevri method, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List). There are over 500 native Georgian varieties, of which around 30 are currently cultivated, that create wines with strong typicity. The best-known varieties are Saperavi for reds, and Rkatsiteli or Mtsvane for whites. In the 19th century, Georgian wines were the “wines of the Court of the Tsars”. After the purely quantitative strategy of the Soviet period, Georgian viticulture began a process of profound reorientation towards quality: a new legislative framework has made vitivinicultural production a national priority, promoting the ancestral methods, modernisation of equipment, improvement to the quality of the wines, the establishment of appellations of origins, the development of wine tourism, a strategy for international promotion (opening of new markets, presence at international trade fairs, etc.).This profound change has been broadly supported by the Georgian government, particularly through the National Wine Agency.The traditional Qvevri method at Chateau Zegaani
05 Nov 2018
As explained by the Uzbek Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdulaziz Kamilov, through this membership Uzbekistan hopes to support the government's efforts to develop a vitivinicultural sector which is rapidly changing and which has been the subject of a development plan enacted by the President of the Republic.
During a conversation with the Uzbekistan Ambassador to France, the Director General of the OIV expressed his pleasure at the new membership of this nation which is the largest producer of grapes in Central Asia and is one of the leading exporters of fresh grapes.Jean-Marie Aurand also reminded those assembled that the official induction of this new Member will take place at the OIV General Assembly in Punta del Este next 23rd November.Fresh Grape Production in UzbekistanThe production of fresh grapes takes place primarily in the South of the country, Samarkand, the Surkahandarya regions and Fergana Valley thanks to a long warm period which lasts from spring to autumn and allows for the growth of around forty different varieties. The main varieties used are Soyaki and Bayan-Shirin (sparkling wines and brandies), Saperavi and Rkatsiteli (still wines) and May Black, Rosy Muscat and Hindogni (dessert wines). For fresh consumption, the most popular grapes are the Khusayni, Rizamat, Kishmish and Damskiy Palchik varieties.As part of the government’s development plan, vineyards have been expanded to 133,000 hectares (2013) for a grape production of nearly 1,322,000 tonnes (2013) and continue to grow with new planting.73% of the production is consumed locally in the form of fresh grapes, 4% is exported. The remaining 23% is used for the production of grape juice, wines and brandies. The largest business in the country is the Uzvinsanoat Company which brings together 120 processors of which 83 are wineries which use around 215,000 tonnes of grapes.Uzbekistan produces nearly 60,000 tonnes of raisins annually, half of which is exported.With Otabek Mustafayev, President of Uzvinsanoat
29 Oct 2018
Under the OIV's high patronage, this conference organised by the Society of Chemistry Experts of France (SECF) and the Association of Oenology Laboratories of Portugal (ALABE) focused on progress in analysis techniques, standards and methods allowing for and guaranteeing the identification and authentication of wines and spirits.The techniques and tools working together to ensure the traceability of vitiviniculture products aim to better preserve the authenticity and quality of wines, especially when it comes to counterfeits and fraud. Traceability is meant in a very broad sense and concerns both viticulture as well as the winemaking process, the product itself, its packaging and its distribution. This year, a particular emphasis was placed on the isotopic analysis of wine, the traceability of the cork and of the glass of the bottles.Wine Track® 2018 was a unique moment of exchange between scientists and materials and equipment providers regarding the current situation and methods available to guarantee the authenticity and traceability of products in the sector and to imagine new solutions.The importance of guaranteeing the authenticity and traceability of vitivinicultural productsJean-Claude Ruf, Scientific Coordinator of the OIV, emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the authenticity and traceability of vitivinicultural products in an increasingly globalised market. Jean-Claude Ruf speaking at a round table during the eventFurthermore, he detailed the steps the OIV has already taken in this area, notably through the establishment of international standards related to:
- the definition of products,
- oenological practices and especially the concern for the consumer's safety and for maintaining the authentic character of the wines and their organoleptic qualities,
- labelling rules,
- the establishment of traceability standards,
- the establishment of analytical standards in order to monitor this traceability and these origins.
29 Oct 2018
This competition, which takes place under the patronage of the OIV, was organised by the Pisco National Commission led by the Vice-Minister for Production, Mr Javier Enrique Dávila Quevedo, and brings together representatives of public bodies and the private sector (Pisco producers and businesses).With Javier Enrique Dávila QuevedoAround one hundred producers presented more than 300 samples of Pisco at this competition, which aims to promote Pisco and the reputation for quality of its appellation of origin.There are 520 Pisco producers in Peru, who produce between 6 and 8 million litres annually.Eight grape varieties (Quebranta, Negra Criolla, Mollar, Uvina, Italia, Torontel, Moscatel and Albilla) their blends (acholados) give Pisco its broad diversity and are at the root of the strong typicity of its yields.Five regions (Ica, Lima, Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna) produce Pisco in Peru, which until recently was primarily consumed within the country but which with the development of export has seen growth over the last few years.Meetings with representativesDuring his visit, Jean-Marie Aurand had an interview with the Vice-Minister for Production, Mr Javier Enrique Dávila Quevedo, then with the Minister Raúl Pérez Reyes. They reaffirmed the country's commitment to the OIV and were pleased by the quality of the relationship maintained by the two parties.With Raúl Pérez ReyesBeyond these interviews, many meetings took place with representatives of the public bodies: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Institute for the Defence of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI), the Commission for the Promotion of Peru through Export and Tourism (Promperú), as well as with bodies from the private sector: the National Society of Industries (Vitiviniculture Committee) allowed the Director General of the OIV to better explain the Organisation’s role and missions and to answer various questions about general trends in the wine and spirits market.With the director of the INDECOPI “Signos Distintivos” Ray Meloni
28 Oct 2018
With 282 million hectolitres (mhl), 2018 vitivinicultural production is one of the highest since 2000.
- In Europe: Italy (48.5 mhl), France (46.4 mhl) and Spain (40.9 mhl) recorded very high production levels. Germany (9.8 mhl), Romania (5.2 mhl), Hungary (3.4 mhl) and Austria (3.0 mhl) have also forecasted harvests above their 5-year averages. Portugal (5.3 mhl) and Greece (2.2 mhl) were the only countries to see a decrease in production compared with 2017.
- Production levels in the United States (23.9 mhl) have remained stable for 3 years.
- In South Africa, drought significantly impacted 2018 production (9.5 mhl).
- South American production levels were very high. In Argentina (14.5 mhl) vinified production increased by 23% compared with the previous year, and in Chile (12.9 mhl) it grew by 36%. Brazil (3.0 mhl) reached a high level, even if its production fell compared with the very strong 2017 production.
- Australian wine production (12.5 mhl) declined compared with that of the previous year and New Zealand production (3.0 mhl) remained at a very high level.
24 Oct 2018
Since Azerbaijan joined the OIV in 2013, the relationship between this country with an ancient viticulture tradition and the OIV has been strengthened at the highest level. As part of this, the Organisation's Director General received the Azerbaijan Minister for Agriculture, who headed a delegation of producers who had come to present their wines to the press and to professionals from the sector.Jean-Marie Aurand was delighted by the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the OIV. The Director General emphasised that the OIV was interested in expanding its cooperation with Azerbaijan and in technical and scientific exchanges with Azerbaijani experts at OIV meetings.“The development of the vitivinicultural sector is one of our primary objectives. The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev grants a particular importance to this field. A State programme for the development of viticulture has been implemented in Azerbaijan”, Mr Inam Karimov, the Azerbaijani Minister for Agriculture, announced during his conversation with the Director General of the OIV. The Director General of the OIV with Mr Inam KarimovMr Inam Karimov addressed the importance of reinforcing the close cooperation and communication with the OIV’s experts, the support for the development of the vitivinicultural sector, the participation of Azerbaijani students at different levels of education and of the grants offered by the OIV.On the occasion of the tasting, Mr Elchin Matadov, President of the Wine Producers and Exporters Association recalled the history of viticulture in his country and its current development, with 500 to 800 hectares planted annually.
22 Oct 2018
Launched in 2008, the Wine in Moderation programme was an essential step for the vitiviniculture sector. For the first time, all relevant players in the European vitiviniculture sector came together to design a complete programme with the aim of promoting responsible, moderate wine consumption.The mission of WIM is to offer a common frame of reference which unites all actors in the international wine value chain and which encourages them to contribute to the fight against harm linked to excessive alcohol consumption.After 10 years of existence, the managers of WIM wished on the occasion of this celebration to put together an overview of completed initiatives and above all to reflect on the strategies which Wine in Moderation could undertake in the future. More than 50 participants from the professional sphere, scientists, and representatives from the vitiviniculture sector participated in these two days, marking the beginning of a deeper strategic, reflective and prospective project.The Director General of the OIV, Jean-Marie Aurand, accompanied by the Vice-President of the OIV Monika Christmann and the OIV’s Scientific Coordinator Jean-Claude Ruf, emphasized the importance of the role and the contributions of the Wine in Moderation-Art de Vivre programme in promoting social responsibility within the vitiviniculture sector and was also very pleased with what WIM has brought to the table through its participation as an OIV observer since 2015.
14 Oct 2018
The 36th International IWLA Conference focused on the challenges of climate changeOrganised around this theme, the 36th International Wine Law Association (IWLA) Conference has brought together in Napa 150 legal professionals from around the world in order to gain understanding of the legal consequences of these issues.On 1-3 October 2018, the IWLA held its international conference in Napa (USA), covering the necessary development of wine law particularly in the face of the challenges of climate change. During the opening of the two sessions devoted to these issues, the OIV Director General took the opportunity to reiterate how this topic has become a priority among the strategic axes developed by the OIV. These axes are established in order to consider the environmental, societal and economic objectives of the industry, and form part of a holistic approach seeking to ensure the sustainability of the vitivinicultural sector.The communications and discussions surrounding this theme, which was chosen by the Californian hosts of the Conference, were very valuable. In particular, speeches from academics from Stanford and Berkeley and from professionals provided better understanding of initiatives implemented by companies in the sector with their societal and environmental responsibilities in mind, taking as examples the Champagne sector in France or E. & J. Gallo in California.Wine civilisation and its responsible consumption by Ernest GalloDuring this visit, Jean-Marie Aurand travelled to Modesto (USA) where he visited Gallo’s headquarters and imposing installations, and met with Ernest Gallo. It was an opportunity to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the declaration made by his grandfather Ernest Gallo during the OIV Assembly in San Francisco in 1993, which had the aim of promoting wine civilisation and its responsible consumption and enabled the founding of the “Wine and Health” Commission within the OIV thanks to USA support.With Ernest GalloThe implementation of analytical standards developed by the OIVThe OIV Director General was also able to see the importance and the implementation of analytical standards developed by the OIV during a visit to ETS Laboratories. ETS founder Gordon Burns presented the microbiological analysis unit, which allows for early detection of the risks of contamination by undesirable bacteria, yeasts or spores.Meeting with students in the sectorThis visit was also an opportunity to present, at CAL POLY (the California Polytechnic State University), the major economic trends and issues of the sector. During these exchanges with the students and the head of the Wine and Viticulture department, Dr Benoît Lecat, Jean-Marie Aurand spoke at length on the social and societal environment that influences the vitivinicultural sector and the need to ensure adequate training for those that will lead the sector in the years to come.Jean-Marie Aurand presents the major economic trends and issues of the sector.
11 Oct 2018
This journey took place during the 7th International Wine Exposition of Helan Mountain’s East Foothill, on 12-15 September 2018.Regina Vanderlinde at the 7th International Wine Exposition of Helan Mountain’s East FoothillRegina Vanderlinde participated in the opening of the event, for which the theme was ‘Brand Taste Appreciation’, in the presence of local authorities and of Mr Cao Kailong, Director of the Ningxia Grape Industry Development Bureau. With Mr. Mr Cao KailongAs part of the event, an exposition of wines from different Chinese regions was also organised: the ‘Belt and Road’ at Yinchuan Exhibition Center. Additionally, this trip provided an opportunity for the President to visit several wineries in the region. During her visit to China, Regina Vanderlinde met with Mr Hao Linhai, former Vice Party Secretary of the People's Government of Ningxia and former President of the Ningxia association of winegrowers. Mr Hao Linhai was awarded the OIV Merit Award during the 40th World Congress of Vine and Wine in May 2017, in Sofia (Bulgaria).With Mr Hao LinhaiViticulture in the Ningxia region has seen a very robust expansion, boosted in particular by local authorities. Wine production is focused upon quality and diversity, with over 180 wineries. This dynamism follows the model of Chinese vitiviniculture as a whole, which has recorded significant development both in terms of table grape production (the top producing country) and the production and consumption of wine (globally the 8th biggest producer and 5th biggest consumer).