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Brace yourself: dark days are ahead for the wine industry, and it could spell trouble for consumers.

Vineyards all around the world have struggled this year, and wine production across the globe is expected to hit a 50-year low as it drops 8 percent from the year before, reports the BBC.

In Europe, severe weather problems have caused low harvests in major wine countries like Italy -- which will see an estimated 23 percent decline in total amount of wine produced -- France, which will see a 19 percent dip -- and Spain, which is projected to make 15 percent less.

"The quality of the grape is nevertheless expected to be very good across Europe which should make for an excellent wine," Thierry Coste of the Copa-Cogenca farmer's union told Agence France-Presse, according to NPR.

Meanwhile, many wineries in Napa, California, have been devastated by the numerous fires across the state. The Napa Valley Vintners association said that at least 47 wineries reported fire damage, while some vineyards were destroyed entirely.

"It will take at least a couple of months to assess," Tom Pagano, wine expert and Aon insurance account executive, told Bloomberg of the wine-related damage in California, which he estimated at $5 billion to $6 billion. "And it may be years before we know the final numbers."

The Napa and Sonoma wine industries bring in approximately $26 billion per year. While this might be a losing year for the industry, there is a bright side, and even the wineries that totally burned down have a glimmer of hope.

"Vineyards survive better than buildings," Sam Coturri of Sonoma winery Sixteen 600 said. "Vines are full of moisture and act as firebreaks."

Australian and Argentinian wineries are faring better: Australian production is projected to see a 6 percent spike, while Argentina might see as much as a 25 percent increase, notes the BBC.

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Brace yourself: dark days are ahead for the wine industry, and it could spell trouble for consumers.

Vineyards all around the world have struggled this year, and wine production across the globe is expected to hit a 50-year low as it drops 8 percent from the year before, reports the BBC.

In Europe, severe weather problems have caused low harvests in major wine countries like Italy -- which will see an estimated 23 percent decline in total amount of wine produced -- France, which will see a 19 percent dip -- and Spain, which is projected to make 15 percent less.

"The quality of the grape is nevertheless expected to be very good across Europe which should make for an excellent wine," Thierry Coste of the Copa-Cogenca farmer's union told Agence France-Presse, according to NPR.

Meanwhile, many wineries in Napa, California, have been devastated by the numerous fires across the state. The Napa Valley Vintners association said that at least 47 wineries reported fire damage, while some vineyards were destroyed entirely.

"It will take at least a couple of months to assess," Tom Pagano, wine expert and Aon insurance account executive, told Bloomberg of the wine-related damage in California, which he estimated at $5 billion to $6 billion. "And it may be years before we know the final numbers."

The Napa and Sonoma wine industries bring in approximately $26 billion per year. While this might be a losing year for the industry, there is a bright side, and even the wineries that totally burned down have a glimmer of hope.

"Vineyards survive better than buildings," Sam Coturri of Sonoma winery Sixteen 600 said. "Vines are full of moisture and act as firebreaks."

Australian and Argentinian wineries are faring better: Australian production is projected to see a 6 percent spike, while Argentina might see as much as a 25 percent increase, notes the BBC.

The Worst Wine Shortage In Years Is Upon Us, Be Scared

Brace yourself: dark days are ahead for the wine industry, and it could spell trouble for consumers.

Vineyards all around the world have struggled this year, and wine production across the globe is expected to hit a 50-year low as it drops 8 percent from the year before, reports the BBC.

In Europe, severe weather problems have caused low harvests in major wine countries like Italy -- which will see an estimated 23 percent decline in total amount of wine produced -- France, which will see a 19 percent dip -- and Spain, which is projected to make 15 percent less.

"The quality of the grape is nevertheless expected to be very good across Europe which should make for an excellent wine," Thierry Coste of the Copa-Cogenca farmer's union told Agence France-Presse, according to NPR.

Meanwhile, many wineries in Napa, California, have been devastated by the numerous fires across the state. The Napa Valley Vintners association said that at least 47 wineries reported fire damage, while some vineyards were destroyed entirely.

"It will take at least a couple of months to assess," Tom Pagano, wine expert and Aon insurance account executive, told Bloomberg of the wine-related damage in California, which he estimated at $5 billion to $6 billion. "And it may be years before we know the final numbers."

The Napa and Sonoma wine industries bring in approximately $26 billion per year. While this might be a losing year for the industry, there is a bright side, and even the wineries that totally burned down have a glimmer of hope.

"Vineyards survive better than buildings," Sam Coturri of Sonoma winery Sixteen 600 said. "Vines are full of moisture and act as firebreaks."

Australian and Argentinian wineries are faring better: Australian production is projected to see a 6 percent spike, while Argentina might see as much as a 25 percent increase, notes the BBC.