France is one of the leading wine-producing countries in the world

France, Italy and Spain together represent over half the world's wine production. The new wine producing countries, such as Australia, Chile, Argentina and South Africa are still way behind!
France is also the top wine consumer world-wide, with an annual consumption per capita of 58 litres!

World-wide wine production

Source: OIV
(mh: million hectolitre)

French wines are divided into 3 categories as follows:

Table wine (21%) Vin de Pays (32%) AOC (47%)
(Appellation d'Origine Controlée)
  • No specific area
  • No selected grapes
  • Limited yields
  • Minimum and maximum alcohol content
  • Specific region
  • Selected grapes
  • Limited yields
  • Minimum and maximum alcohol content
  • Final approval
  • Restricted area, specific "terroir"
  • Selected grapes
  • Limited yields
  • Vineyard monitoring
  • Winemaking methods
  • Final approval

= Strict criterias

While the production of AOC wines in France is constant, the production of basic table wines is decreasing and Vins de Pays, including varietal wines, are on the increase. This corresponds to new consumption trends focused on good quality, easydrinking wines with marked regional character.

Barton & Guestier, one of the leading brands in fine French wines worldwide, produces AOC wines from all around France, and, since 1991 the company has added a range of varietal wines from Languedoc, in Southern France.