Back in 1998 Luxembourg overtook France as the world’s thirstiest wine-drinking country. While its consumption per capita has declined marginally from 61.0 litres in 1999 to 60.8 in 2000, French consumption has diminished from 57.2 litres to 56.0 over the same period. Back in 1969 the French drank 112 litres of wine per head per annum, accounting for every man, women, infant and invalid. Meantime, the Japanese and Irish are doing their level best to take up the slack, with figures rising by 15.7% and 16.0% over the same time. Since 1970, wine consumption in Japan and Ireland has increased by 900% and 806% respectively, to be sure to be sure.
