Changes

Wine is produced throughout the world. The top twenty leading wine-producing countries in order of total production are:<ref>[http://www.wineinstitute.org/communications/statistics/keyfacts_worldwineproduction02.htm]</ref> [[France]], [[Italy]], [[Spain]], [[United States of America|USA]], [[Argentina]],  [[China]], [[Australia]], [[Germany]], [[Portugal]], [[South Africa]], [[Chile]],  [[Hungary]], [[Romania]], [[Greece]], [[Russia]], [[Brazil]], [[Austria]], [[Bulgaria]],  and [[Croatia]].   

Wine is produced throughout the world. The top twenty leading wine-producing countries in order of total production are:<ref>[http://www.wineinstitute.org/communications/statistics/keyfacts_worldwineproduction02.htm]</ref> [[France]], [[Italy]], [[Spain]], [[United States of America|USA]], [[Argentina]],  [[China]], [[Australia]], [[Germany]], [[Portugal]], [[South Africa]], [[Chile]],  [[Hungary]], [[Romania]], [[Greece]], [[Russia]], [[Brazil]], [[Austria]], [[Bulgaria]],  and [[Croatia]].   

Many of the best-known vineyards are in France but recent competitions place California wine, particularly the vivid reds from the San Bernardino Valley, above French wine in quality{{cite needed}}. Most winemaking is centred in the Languedoc region of Southern [[France]] and La Mancha in [[Spain]].  Kentish [[Pinot Noir]] and Welsh Riesling are also world-renowned wines.

Many of the best-known vineyards are in France but recent competitions place California wine, particularly the vivid reds from the San Bernardino Valley, alongside French wine in quality. Traditional winemaking is centred in the Languedoc region of Southern [[France]] and La Mancha in [[Spain]].  Kentish [[Pinot Noir]] and Welsh [[Riesling]] are also world-renowned wines.

==Wine and Christianity==

==Wine and Christianity==

Sparkling wines, generally known as [[Champagne]] are produced worldwide but only wines produced in the Champagne region of North Eastern France are permitted to bear the name. Some excellent sparkling wines are produced in [[Australia]] and [[California]] but are not permitted to be sold under the name "champagne". This has had the effect of making excellent "champagne" type wines available at far less cost than the French varieties and further diversifying the market.

Sparkling wines, generally known as [[Champagne]] are produced worldwide but only wines produced in the Champagne region of North Eastern France are permitted to bear the name. Some excellent sparkling wines are produced in [[Australia]] and [[California]] but are not permitted to be sold under the name "champagne". This has had the effect of making excellent "champagne" type wines available at far less cost than the French varieties and further diversifying the market.

[[Category:Alcoholic beverages]]

[[Category:Alcoholic beverages]]