According to the European Commission the EU accounts for approximately two thirds of global wine production and 70% of global exports. The 2013 EU grape harvest has recovered from the exceptionally bad 2012 season, however key areas in France are still struggling because of bad weather. Unusual spring hail storms in Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, and Burgundy damaged some of France’s finest vineyards. Overall the EU harvest is predicted to be 170 million hectoliters – 15.2% above last year’s harvest, but still below the five year average of 175 million hectoliters. France is still well below the 2011 production levels that reached 50.2 million hectoliters with 2013 production expected to be 44.1 million hectoliters, but Spain and Italy have seen significant increases.
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