Wine production

Wine producing countries

Main article: List of wine producing countries

The 13 largest export nations (2005 dates) – Italy, France, Spain, Australia, Chile, the United States of America, Germany, South Africa, Portugal, Moldova, Hungary, Croatia and Argentina. In the United States, California accounts for the largest share of wine producers, including Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Monterey, Paso Robles, and Santa Ynez. In 2000, Great Britain imported more wine from Australia than from France for the first time in history.

Steep rock slope at the Moselle River

The leaders in export volume by market share in 2003 were:

• France, 22% Champagne Alain Robert
• Italy, 20%
• Spain, 16%
• Australia, 8%
• Chile, 6%
• United States, 5%
• Portugal, 4%
• Germany, 4%

Wine producing regions

Main article: List of wine-producing regions

Wine grapes grow almost exclusively between thirty and fifty degrees north or south of the equator. The world's most southerly vineyards are in the South Island of New Zealand near the 45th parallel. Grapevines prefer a relatively long growing season of 100 days or more with warm daytime temperatures (no greater than 95°F/35°C) and cool nights (a difference of 40°F/23°C or more).