France - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Right Bank under threat as adaptability of Merlot cools

Published: 06 July, 2020

The traditional Merlot-dominant blends of Bordeaux’s Right Bank are being threatened by global warming, according to leading winemakers in the region.

Bollinger adds first cuvée in over a decade with Bollinger PN

Published: 06 July, 2020

Champagne Bollinger has added its first permanent cuvée in 12 years with the launch of Bollinger PN, the first of an intended series focusing on the house’s flagship grape.

Loire Valley sparklers herald UK uplift

Published: 02 July, 2020

Loire Valley fizz has enjoyed a surge in exports to the UK, with Crémant de Loire having jumped just shy of 50%.

Baron Philippe de Rothschild appoints new head of Châteaux Wines division

Published: 29 June, 2020

Baron Philippe de Rothschild has appointed Ariane Khaida executive director of its Châteaux Wines division, including Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Clerc Milon, Château d'Armailhac and Domaine de Baronarques.

Harpers teams up with Loire Valley for indies promotion

Published: 25 June, 2020

Loire Valley Wines is once again to run its popular Independent Wine Merchant promotion this Autumn.

Bourgogne less impacted by Covid-19 than feared

Published: 19 June, 2020

The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) has recorded an overall dip in exports of 1.8% by volume for the first four months of 2020.

Bordeaux Wine Month opens up annual promo to on-trade

Published: 17 June, 2020

Bordeaux Wine Month will be back for its third annual outing this autumn, once again inviting the trade to have a shot at promoting the best from France’s flagship region.

‘Compressed’ Bordeaux 2019 EP campaign sees prices 30% lower

Published: 11 June, 2020

As Bordeaux’s top estates continue to trickle their 2019 releases onto the market, prices are typically 15-30% down on 2018, with around two thirds of prices now declared.

Halliday to auction iconic DRC collection

Published: 01 June, 2020

Legendary Australian wine critic James Halliday is to auction 250 bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from his private cellar.

Flint buys buys Domaine Direct

Published: 29 May, 2020

Fine wine importer Flint Wines has completed the purchase of Burgundy specialist Domaine Direct.

Louis Latour continues quest for affordable sites outside of Burgundy

Published: 21 May, 2020

Maison Louis Latour has been ramping up its search for the best slopes for its hero Pinot Noir grape outside of Burgundy as a way of offering customers “stable” wine prices.

Friday Read: Chasing millennials – a moribund or redefined art?

Published: 15 May, 2020

For as long as I can remember, the wine industry has been coveting youth. Generic bodies have been at the forefront of this rush to connect with Gen Y. The CIVB, Inter Rhône and InterLoire have all invested significant resources into campaigns targeted at millennials.

Armit keeps up on-trade momentum with Liber Pater listing

Published: 11 May, 2020

Armit Wines is forging ahead with its plans to strengthen its position in the on-trade with a new addition to its supplier portfolio.

Bordeaux ramps up marketing to deliver accessible ‘human face’

Published: 01 May, 2020

Bordeaux governing body CIVB is spicing up its promotional drive for 2020, with “tight, aggressive and positive” objectives promised in seven key markets, including the UK.

Climate change creeps up in Burgundy

Published: 01 May, 2020

Rising temperatures coupled with sensitive Pinot Noir spell change for the Burgundian hierarchy, as James Lawrence reports.

CIVB unveils Hot 50 Bordeaux 2020 Selection

Published: 29 April, 2020

Vins de Bordeaux (CIVB) has revealed the Top 50 wines chosen to make up its Hot 50 Bordeaux Selection for 2020.

En Primeur presentations could be held in modified format this summer

Published: 22 April, 2020

The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) and Bordeaux Négoce (Association of Bordeaux Wine Merchants) are considering the possibility of proposing the 2019 En Primeurs to be held in a modified format by the end of the summer.

Domaine de la Commaraine acquires new vineyards in the Côte de Nuits

Published: 09 April, 2020

Domaine de la Commaraine has purchased 5.8 acre of vineyards in the Côte de Nuits for an undisclosed sum.

Loire UK exports reach previous levels

Published: 09 April, 2020

Loire wine exports to the UK were up in the past year in both value and volume terms with the region, which had struggled to reach levels achieved in 2017, now levelling.