The ten countries that drink the most wine by total volume, from traditional European powerhouses to the United States, which now leads the world in total consumption.
Updated July 29, 202610 ranked3 sources
Quick answer: 1. United States, 2. France, 3. Italy, 4. Germany, 5. China, 6. United Kingdom, 7. Spain, 8. Argentina, 9. Australia, 10. Portugal.
Wine consumption varies dramatically around the world, shaped by cultural traditions, climate, production, and economic factors. While European countries — particularly France, Italy, and Spain — have long dominated wine drinking, the United States has overtaken all of them in total volume as wine culture has expanded across the Atlantic.
This list ranks the top ten wine-consuming countries by total volume in hectolitres, based on the latest data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). Per-capita figures tell a different story; traditional wine-producing nations like Portugal and France still lead on a per-person basis.
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Wine consumption (million hectolitres/year)
Wine consumption (million hectolitres/year)
United States
33.3 million hL
France
24.4 million hL
Italy
22.6 million hL
Germany
19.1 million hL
China
16.8 million hL
United Kingdom
13.2 million hL
Spain
10.5 million hL
Argentina
8.3 million hL
Australia
7.9 million hL
Portugal
5.5 million hL
The ranking
1
United States
The United States is the world's largest wine market by volume, consuming 33.3 million hectolitres annually. Wine consumption in the U.S. has grown steadily since the 1990s, driven by a expanding wine culture, increased domestic production in California, Oregon, and Washington, and growing interest among younger consumers. California accounts for roughly 60% of all U.S. wine consumption.
Region: North AmericaPer-capita consumption: ~10 litres/yearTop wine type: Red wine (40%), White wine (30%)Trend: Stable to slightly declining
2
France
France consumes 24.4 million hectolitres of wine annually, making it the second-largest market by volume and one of the highest per capita. Wine is deeply embedded in French culture, though total consumption has declined significantly from the 1960s when the average French adult drank over 100 litres per year. The shift toward quality over quantity has been a defining trend.
Italy consumes 22.6 million hectolitres of wine annually, ranking third globally. Despite being the world's largest wine producer, Italian per-capita consumption has fallen by roughly half since the 1970s. Italian wine drinkers are increasingly choosing DOCG and DOC quality wines over table wine, reflecting a broader premiumization trend.
Region: EuropePer-capita consumption: ~38 litres/yearTop wine type: Red wine (50%), White wine (35%)Trend: Gradual decline
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4
Germany
Germany consumes 19.1 million hectolitres of wine annually, with a strong preference for white wine — particularly Riesling. Germany is also the world's largest importer of wine, supplementing its domestic production with large volumes from Italy, France, and Spain. The country's wine consumption has been relatively stable, with growing interest in dry (trocken) wines.
Region: EuropePer-capita consumption: ~23 litres/yearTop wine type: White wine (60%), Red wine (40%)Trend: Stable
5
China
China consumes 16.8 million hectolitres of wine annually, making it the largest wine market in Asia. Wine consumption in China grew rapidly through the 2000s and early 2010s, driven by a rising middle class and gift-giving culture, but has since declined as economic growth slowed and the government cracked down on luxury spending. Red wine dominates the Chinese market, with domestic production accounting for the majority of consumption.
The United Kingdom consumes 13.2 million hectolitres of wine annually, ranking sixth globally. As a non-wine-producing country (though English sparkling wine is growing rapidly), the UK imports virtually all of its wine, making it the world's largest wine importer by value. Prosecco and Champagne are particularly popular, and the UK has a strong wine retail and on-trade sector.
Spain consumes 10.5 million hectolitres of wine annually, ranking seventh despite being the world's third-largest wine producer. Spanish per-capita wine consumption has declined significantly over the past few decades, and the country now exports over half of its production. Rioja and Cava remain the best-known Spanish wine categories internationally.
Region: EuropePer-capita consumption: ~22 litres/yearTop wine type: Red wine (55%), White wine (25%)Trend: Declining
8
Argentina
Argentina consumes 8.3 million hectolitres of wine annually, the largest wine market in South America. Malbec is the dominant varietal, and Argentine wine culture is deeply tied to the country's identity as a major wine producer. Per-capita consumption has fallen from its peak in the 1970s but remains among the highest in the Americas.
Region: South AmericaPer-capita consumption: ~18 litres/yearTop wine type: Red wine (Malbec, 70%)Trend: Declining
9
Australia
Australia consumes 7.9 million hectolitres of wine annually, ranking ninth globally. The Australian wine market is dominated by domestic production, with Shiraz and Chardonnay as the most popular varietals. Australian wine consumption has been relatively stable, with growing interest in premium and cool-climate wines from regions like Tasmania and the Yarra Valley.
Region: OceaniaPer-capita consumption: ~30 litres/yearTop wine type: Red wine (Shiraz, Cabernet), White wine (Chardonnay)Trend: Stable
10
Portugal
Portugal consumes 5.5 million hectolitres of wine annually, rounding out the top ten. Despite its small population, Portugal has one of the highest per-capita wine consumption rates in the world at roughly 55 litres per person. Port wine is the country's most famous export, but the domestic market is dominated by Vinho Verde and other table wines.
Region: EuropePer-capita consumption: ~55 litres/yearTop wine type: Red wine (Vinho Verde, Alentejo), Fortified wine (Port)Trend: Stable to slightly declining
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Full comparison
#
Name
Region
Per-capita consumption
Top wine type
Trend
1
United States
North America
~10 litres/year
Red wine (40%), White wine (30%)
Stable to slightly declining
2
France
Europe
~45 litres/year
Red wine (55%), Rosé (25%)
Gradual decline
3
Italy
Europe
~38 litres/year
Red wine (50%), White wine (35%)
Gradual decline
4
Germany
Europe
~23 litres/year
White wine (60%), Red wine (40%)
Stable
5
China
Asia
~1.5 litres/year
Red wine (80%+)
Declining
6
United Kingdom
Europe
~20 litres/year
Sparkling wine (25%), Red wine (35%)
Stable
7
Spain
Europe
~22 litres/year
Red wine (55%), White wine (25%)
Declining
8
Argentina
South America
~18 litres/year
Red wine (Malbec, 70%)
Declining
9
Australia
Oceania
~30 litres/year
Red wine (Shiraz, Cabernet), White wine (Chardonnay)
Stable
10
Portugal
Europe
~55 litres/year
Red wine (Vinho Verde, Alentejo), Fortified wine (Port)
Stable to slightly declining
How we ranked this
Countries are ranked by total wine consumption in millions of hectolitres (m hL) measured as the volume of wine consumed domestically within a calendar year, based on the OIV's State of the World Vine and Wine Sector report for 2025. The OIV compiles these figures from national statistical agencies, trade data, and producer surveys. Consumption includes still wine, sparkling wine, and fortified wine but excludes wine-based beverages and non-alcoholic wine. Data is for the most recent complete vintage year available (2025).
FAQ
Which country drinks the most wine in the world?
The United States consumes the most wine by total volume at 33.3 million hectolitres per year, followed by France (24.4 million hL) and Italy (22.6 million hL). However, on a per-capita basis, Portugal, France, and Italy lead the world.
Has global wine consumption been growing or declining?
Global wine consumption has been on a gradual decline since peaking around 2007–2008, driven by falling consumption in traditional European wine-producing countries. The U.S. market has been a partial offset, but overall trends show a structural shift toward lower alcohol consumption, particularly among younger demographics.
Why is the United States the largest wine consumer despite lower per-capita consumption?
The U.S. has the third-largest population in the world (over 330 million people), so even a moderate per-capita consumption rate of roughly 10 litres per person produces a very large total volume. By contrast, countries like Portugal and France have much higher per-capita rates but much smaller populations.