While more and more U.S. travelers hit the road to France, a lot of wine is making the trip in the opposite direction, and Americans are drinking more wine, while France is consuming less.
While the U.S. population obviously makes country-to-country total comparisons confusing, the numbers are still startling. France’s total consumption in 2000 was 34.5 hictolitres, according to the International Organization of Wine, while in 2017 it was only 27 million. In the meantime, the U.S. consumption rose 53% from 21.2 hectolitres to 32.6.
On a per capita basis, however, the French are still way ahead. In figures for 2003 compared to 2016, the average French consumption dropped from 54.8 litres a year to 40.7—but U.S. consumption over the same period only rose from about 2.7 litres to just over 3.
Since these figures are for consumption rather than production, I believe you only get U.S. points. Sorry!
Well, I plan to continue, in case they introduce more categories.
When I drink French wine in California does it count as French or US? I’d like to think I get double points.