France’s wine consumption hits a record low

The French are drinking less wine than ever before, with the average adult consuming barely one glass of wine a day according to a new study.

French bread and red wine

The study by FranceAgriMer, a division of the French Ministry of Agriculture shows that the average French adult still consumes around 57 litres of wine each year. In comparison British adults each drink around 22 litres per year.

In 1965 a similar survey found that French annual wine consumption was around 160 litres per adult.

The number of French people who drink every day has also fallen from 21% in 2005 to 17%, but the number who drink wine occasionally – once or twice a week – has increased from 41% to 45%. The number of non-drinkers remains the same, at 38%.

The economic downturn is thought to be one of the factors behind the decrease, but so is an increase in the about of fizzy drinks and fruit juices that are now being drunk, especially at meal times.

Caroline Plot, the head of FranceAgriMer’s cultural studies unit, who oversaw the research said: “There has also been a real shift in consumption habits: fizzy drinks and fruit juices are taking the place of wine on the French table.”

In 1980 non-alcholic drinks, other than water, were rarely seen at meal times and wine was served with half of all meals. By 2010 soft drinks had increased and wine was served at just one in four meals.

Philippe Janvier, one of the study’s authors, said: “In general, alcohol and wine are now being consumed at weekends, in social settings or for celebrations.”

The research, which was conducted in 2010, surveyed just over 4,000 people aged 15 and older.