According to the Paris-based agency, total wine output reached 250 million hectoliters in 2017, which is 8.6 percent less than global winemakers produced the previous year. The OIV said that it was the lowest level since 1957, when production had fallen to 173.8 million hectoliters. One hectoliter is 100 liters and is the equivalent of nearly 133 standard wine bottles.

The main reason behind the plunge is a considerable production decrease in the EU, the world’s biggest wine producer. All top wine producers in the bloc were reportedly hit by harsh weather last year, which triggered an overall decline of nearly 15 percent to 141 million hectoliters.

According to the agency’s estimations, Italian wine output fell by 17 percent to 42.5 million hectoliters. French production was down 19 percent at 36.7 million hectoliters, while Spanish output declined by 20 percent to 32.1 million hectoliters.