Who enjoys a glass of vino? Wine is one of the top choices of beverages consumed worldwide and has been in production for thousands of years. Whether it is red, white, sparkling, rose, fortified or a blend you will find wine production and consumption throughout the world. Next time you pull out a bottle of wine, identify which country it is from, then reflect on the experiences you had in that country OR discover your favorite wine region and allow yourself a moment to dream about your next vacation there. Below are the top five producing wine regions of the world!

Italy

Welcome to the wine capital of the world! Italy, the largest producer of wine with an annual wine production of nearly 4.8 million tons of wine, is also home to the oldest wine producing regions in the world. Italy accounted for 19 percent of global production in 2018, ahead of their European neighbors, France and Spain. The grapes along with the suitable climate allow for excellent conditions for grape cultivation. Hard to believe, but Italy has over 1 million vineyards! In terms of wine consumption, Italy ranks 5^th in the world.

Italian wine dates back to thousands of years ago where Etruscans, Greek settlers and the ancient Romans practiced wine making, as well as learned various storage techniques (such as bottling and barrel-making).

Wine Regions: Aosta Valley, Piemonte, Liguria, Lombardia, Trentino-Alto Adige/Suditrol, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Marche, Umbria, Lazio, Sardinia, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Basilicata, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily

Popular Grape Types: Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Barbera, Nero d’Avola, Primitivo (Zinfandel), Valpolicella Blends, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo

France

French wine is renowned worldwide. France is the 2^nd largest wine producer in the world based on volume and is 1^st when it comes to revenue generated through exporting. The production of wine dates back to the 6^th century BC and you will find grapes are planted throughout the entire country. France is the supplier for many grape varieties (see below) and the top wine production areas include Burgundy and Bordeaux.

Wine Regions: Alsace, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Brittany, Burgundy, Champagne, Corsica, Ile-de-France, Jura, Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire, Normandy, Picardy, Provence, Rhone, Savoy, South West France

Popular Grape Types: Merlot, Ugni blanc, Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Carignan, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon blanc

Spain

Spain tends to battle with France for the 2^nd spot for wine production. Sitting at 3^rd, Spain has many wine regions and an array of grape varietals (over 400) – the majority of the wine production is made from 20 grapes. Although Spain is identified as 3^rd largest producer of wine in the world, it is the most widely planted wine-producing nation. It is 9^th in terms of wine consumption.

It is said that grapes were first cultivated here between 4000 and 3000 BC – before the Phoenicians!

Wine Regions: Rioja, Catalonia, Ribera del Duero, Ruedo, Toro, Rias Baixas, Valdeorras, Cava

Popular Grape Types: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Bobal, Cabernet Saunignon, Monastrell, Syrah, Verdejo, Albarino, Godello; Xareló, Parellada and Macabeo (or Viura) are 3 grapes used to produce Cava

USA

The wine industry in the United States points to one specific state, California! Nearly 90% of the wine produced in the USA is from California. Though wine is produced in other states throughout the USA, California hosts over 1200 wineries from small to large in size. California’s wine production (viticulture) history dates back 300 years ago when the Spanish missionaries in the 18^th century planted the first vineyards. California on its own, if you considered it being its own country, would be the 4^th largest wine producer in the world.

Wine Regions: California (Napa Valley & Sonoma), Washington State, Oregon, New York State, Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico

Grape Types: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, Pinot Gris, French Colombard, Sauvignon blanc

Argentina

In 2010, wine was declared as Argentina’s national liquor by the Argentine government. Argentina is the 5^th largest producer of wine in the world. Wine in this country has its roots in Spain – cultivation of the grape and wine production in Argentina started in the 16^th century during the Spanish colonization of the Americas. There are several grape varietals which reflect different cultures, including the popular Malbec grape which was brought over by the French immigrant group.

Wine Regions: Buenos Aires, Cordoba, La Pampa, Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, Jujuy, Catamarca, Salta, Rio Negro and Neuquen

Wine Grapes: Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merely, Torrontes, Syrah

Other Notable Wine Destinations in the World:

Chile; Australia; New Zealand; South Africa; Germany; Croatia; China

– By Trip Merchant (Date: April, 2020)