Some people call them international varieties, but they are, in fact, French. These have increased in the world’s vineyards, from 29% of the global vineyard area in 2000 to today’s 39%. Most significant is the increase in the United Kingdom, where French grape varieties have gone from just over 20% of the country’s area to over 75% (but on a small total acreage). The country’s great success with its sparkling wine has led to more champagne grapes being planted.
New Zealand has the highest proportion of French grape varieties with 94%, hardly surprising considering the dominance of sauvignon blanc and pinot noir.
In second place is
- Australia with almost 90%, then
- South Africa with 82%,
- Chile 81% (up from 69%),
- Great Britain 75%,
- Canada 75%,
- USA 72%.
France appears only in 8th place (!) in the statistics with 62%. France has large areas with grapes of Spanish origin, such as grenache and carignan.
Of the 32 countries included in the statistics, Portugal comes last with only 9% of French origin grapes, but up from 1% in 1990. Spain is second to last with slightly higher figures, 10%, up from 2% in 2000. (Statistics from the University of Adelaide.)
