QUESTION: Given the way the California wine scene has exploded, and the fact that wine is now produced in all 50 states, I’m guessing that the United States produces more wine than any country on Earth. My wife disagrees; she says it’s France. Who’s right?
ANSWER: This is one marital spat we are happy to say has no winner… and no loser. You’re both wrong.
While America’s wine production is impressive, the U.S. is not No. 1. In fact, it currently ranks fourth on the global list.
France, your better half’s pick, comes in at No. 2. So if we’re playing “closest without going over,” like they do on “The Price Is Right,” she gets the prize.
The No. 1 spot belongs to… drum roll, please… Italy.
Here’s the top 10:
1. Italy
2. France
3. Spain
4. United States (with about 90 percent produced in California)
5. Argentina
6. Australia
7. South Africa
8. Germany
9. Chile
10. Portugal
While the U.S. may be No. 4 in production, it has jumped to No. 1 in consumption. We’ll have more on that this coming Sunday.
