Paris — Global wine output rose to near-record highs in 2018 after a sharp rebound from a poor harvest the previous year, though consumption stopped growing, says the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). After a 60-year low in 2017, when production was dented by extreme weather in Europe, including drought and storms, world output rose 17% in 2018 to 292.3-million hectolitres, the OIV said. The growth was driven by steep rises in Italy, France and Spain —three of the world’s major producers — which all recorded output at least 13% above their five-year averages. The figures confirmed an initial trend projected by the Paris-based OIV in October 2018.

A hectolitre amounts to 100 litres, or the equivalent of 133 standard wine bottles...

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