Tim Atkin MW on the French wine industry

This show was published Monday, March 24, 2008

Overview

Tim Atkin MW is wine critic and writer for The Observer. A passionate Francophile, Tim shares his views on the French wine industry and presents the highlights and opportunities at the France Under One Roof trade tasting.

There are very good signs that French wines are doing well. France is the no 2 exporter to the UK. The average bottle price is rising from £4.17 to £4.29. The average in the UK is £4.01. Slowly but steadily France is moving up. There is a shaking off of cheap own labels at the bottom end of the market. France is strong in the £5+ category up 4% last year and rose wines were up 13%.

Highlights & Opportunities

- Brands are important. JP Chenet and Piat d'Or are successful and strong brands but there are other brands in the market that are doing well e.g. Blason de Bourgogne, French Connections, La Difference.
- France continues to perform well at competitions - if you take the IWC, Decanter and IWSC awards France always comes out on top of the medal tables.
- The new category Vignobles de France will allow blending across the regions which will mean France can create brands that produce volume. - AOC reform should see an improvement in quality and help restore the system's credibility.
- Green credentials. France has 1,604 registered organic producers and 20,000 hectares of organic vineyards.
- Diversity of grape varieties France has to offer beyond the main varieties

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