The world of wine

Vine-growing and wine-making do not occur everywhere on our planet. Wine is produced only within the zones delimited by 30th and 50th parallels in the northern hemisphere, and between 30th and 40th parallels in the southern hemisphere. All major countries producing wine are situated within these boundaries. Spain, France, Italy and the United States are leading producers of wine in the northern hemisphere, whereas Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Chile dominate in the southern.

Vineyards occupy 7.9 mln hectares of land. The largest part (63%) is situated in Europe, 19% in Asia, 12% in America, 4% in Africa, and 2% in Oceania.

Country	Vineyards, thousand hectares	% of the entire world’s vineyard area
Spain	1230	15,53
France	914	11,85
Italy	908	11,47
FSU	788	9,95
Hungary	131	1,76
US	415	5,24
Argentina	210	2,83
South Africa	111	1,49
Chile	104	1,40
Australia	98	1,32

Vine has different growth characteristics in different localities. Vineyards occupy large valley territories in some countries, and can concentrate on steep mountainsides in others. Sometimes they are terraced high above river banks. Vineyards can survive in hot weather in midday, and stay in ice at frosty nights. European vineyards were cultivated through centuries. Now they represent a natural part of different landscapes. Vine lives adjacent to cacti and spurge in South America, whereas African vineyards are usually seen close to mountains and palms. Vast vineyards of Australia and New Zealand look really terrific. All over the world, vine can grow only with man’s everyday great care.

Spain: Classic wine of Rioja and modern flamenco-styled brands, deeply substantial and charming wines, understandable to anybody, starting from the first drink, wines of Rebera del Duera and Priorate, and wonderful galician Albarigno, which recently amazed the entire world.

France: Burly, stout clarets are now consumed not only in Britain, but also in Russia. Alsace wine impresses us with its delicate summer aroma, complexity of good old Burgundy comes over us, and southern wines warm us.

Italy: Tender sunny Tuscany and elegant bright Piedmont are godly places producing a «sacred» sort of wine, «Vin Santo». «Sicily early in the morning» – this is what you experience, trying excellent rough wine made in Sicily.

Germany: Amazing nectars made of frozen grapes would please you with their splendid strictness. Dry Riesling and sauerkraut have no competing gastronomic analogues.

Hungary: Tokaji is known as a classic sort of wine delivered to the court of Russian tsars. Tokay is astonishingly delicious and absolutely attractive.

The geography of wine production is permanently changing. More and more countries start making wine. The best wine-makers from regions of the world are well known in Russia nowadays.

USA: Californian Chardonnay and Pinot de Noire from Oregon really incarnate the american dream. «Do it as in France, but do it better than in France!»

Canada: See Niagara and taste ice-cold wine made from Vidal grapes!

Chile: This is the international style center comprising skills of the world’s best wine-makers, beginning from Rothschields.

Argentina: The matchless Malbeck was lost in Europe long ago, but reappeared in the New World, having all its typical features. Wine made from Malbeck is stored in cellars for years before it acquires its genuine properties, like a rosebud turns into a wonderful flower.

Australia is the country that has attracted the entire world to wines made from Shiraz grapes. These wines have strong, condenced aroma, representing colorful nectars produced on the remote land.

South Africa: The best impression of the «black» continents can be obtained from a charming mulatto called Pinotage, born of Pinot Noire, a northerner, and Sira, coming from the south. This is the genuine Africa!

In all these countries, people work day and night, through the whole year, in spring and in the fall, during winter and summer, in vineyards and wineries to make magic elixirs for our taste and good mood.