For the first time in France, beer consumption has surpassed wine consumption. According to figures released by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and Brasseurs de France, beer consumption reached 22.1 million hectolitres in 2025, compared with 22 million hectolitres of wine.

The difference is minimal—just 100,000 hectolitres—but enough to mark a historic turning point in one of the countries most closely associated with wine culture worldwide.

The numbers behind the shift

According to data published by the two organisations, beer consumption increased by 12% over the past year, while wine consumption declined by 3.2% compared with 2024 and by 7.2% compared with the average of the previous five years.

These figures are particularly significant considering the central role that wine continues to play in French culture and the national economy. Despite declining domestic consumption, France remains one of the world’s leading wine-producing countries.

The current state of French wine

The milestone comes at a challenging time for the French wine industry. In 2025, France produced 35.9 million hectolitres of wine, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest producer behind Italy, which reached 47.3 million hectolitres.

Production therefore remains a strategic asset for the country. What is changing is the relationship between French consumers and wine, which is becoming less common in everyday drinking occasions.

Changing consumer habits

Among the factors highlighted in the analysis reported by Gambero Rosso are changing eating habits, fewer structured meals, a decline in at-home consumption occasions, and growing demand for products perceived as more accessible and less formal.

The new generation is also showing different consumption patterns compared with previous generations. It generally consumes less alcohol and tends to favour products that are less closely associated with traditional drinking rituals.

A snapshot of consumption trends in France

The 2025 figures provide an important snapshot of evolving consumer preferences and changing drinking habits in France.

More than simply a competition between beverage categories, beer’s overtaking of wine reflects a broader shift in consumption patterns within one of the markets historically most deeply rooted in wine culture.

Source: Gambero Rosso, based on data from the OIV and Brasseurs de France.