The largest market for red wine is now China, where 1.8 billion bottles were sold in 2013.
In just five years, sales have soared by 136%.
The Chinese market has pushed back the French one into second place, with the Italian market coming in third.
Chinese buyers of red wine have been steadily increasing over the last decade, although the prices today are considerably more – up to 175% - than they were in 2005.
Demand for red wine in France in that same period went down by 18% and by nearly 6% in Italy.
The US market is still the world's largest for all colours of wines, said Vinexpo, the Bordeaux chamber of commerce organisation which commissioned the study. The Americans lead the world in the drinking of still and sparkling wines.
Some economists believe the rise in the acceptance of red wine is due in large part to increasing westernisation in China and the desire to try new things. The introduction of pizza has been well received, as have a number of fast-food style hamburger outlets.
Another factor is that wine used to be the prerogative of government officials and wealthy businessmen.
Chinese hold the colour red to be lucky and associate it with wealth and power.
Chinese president Xi Jinping has launched an austerity and anti-corruption drive which has caused a decline in conspicuous consumption.
For the overall population, wine is an occasional drink, often reserved for holidays. While the average is about one bottle a year per person, it is the sheer scale of the Chinese market that is accounting for big sales.
