13 grape varieties cover one third of global vineyard acreage

By Vitisphere January 04, 2018

“Of the 10,000 grape varieties known worldwide, 33 account for half of international vineyard acreage”, states a report by the International Organisation of Vine & Wine (OIV). Basing its ranking on data from 2015 – still classified as ‘provisional’ – the organisation lists the thirteen most widely planted varieties worldwide; these varieties alone represent one third of global vineyard acreage.

Combining dessert and wine grapes, the ranking is spearheaded by Kyohō, which covers 365,000 hectares (equivalent to 4.8 % of global vineyard acreage). A table grape variety, it occurs most commonly in China (44 % of the nation’s plantings), Brazil and North America. The leading wine varietal is Cabernet-Sauvignon, with 340,000 ha (4.5 % of world vineyard area), spread across the globe (covering up to 9 % of vineyard area in the United States).

OIV’s ranking of the main grape varieties planted worldwide in 2015 is as follows:

- Kyohō (dessert grape): 365,000 hectares.

- Cabernet-Sauvignon (wine grape): 340,000 ha.

- Sultanine (wine, dessert and raisin grape): 300,000 ha.

- Merlot (wine grape): 266,000 ha.

- Tempranillo (wine grape): 231,000 ha.

- Airen (wine and distillation grape): 218,000 ha.

- Chardonnay (wine grape): 211,000 ha.

- Syrah (wine grape): 190,000 ha.

- Grenache noir (or Garnacha tinta): 163,000 ha.

- Red Globe (dessert grape): 160,000 ha.

- Sauvignon blanc (wine grape): 121,000 ha.