France - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

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.

"Chaotic" weather threatens Bordeaux vineyards

Published: 02 April, 2020

Growers in Bordeaux have resorted to exceptional measures to protect their vines from “chaotic” weather conditions, the CIVB has reported.

French wines weaken on fine-wine market

Published: 01 April, 2020

France’s premier wine regions continue to weaken on the fine-wine market, according to the first-quarter 2020 trading data released this morning by Liv-ex.

Coronavirus could kickstart "radical change in stagnant" wine trade, tech entrepreneur predicts

Published: 01 April, 2020

The coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis could kickstart radical change in the wine trade, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur has predicted.

Beaujolais UK sales skyrocket

Published: 31 March, 2020

Beaujolais has continued its revival in the UK, with 2019 exports up 17% by value and 22% by volume year on year, according to new figures from Inter Beaujolais.

CIVB postpones inaugural Bordeaux Day

Published: 20 March, 2020

Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) has postponed its inaugural Bordeaux Day due to coronavirus (Covid-19).

CIVB announces inaugural Bordeaux Day

Published: 26 February, 2020

Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) has announced it is set to hold a Bordeaux Day for the first time.

Mentzendorff wins Colombo agency

Published: 26 February, 2020

Rhône Valley winemaker Jean-Luc Colombo has appointed Mentzendorff & Co as his exclusive agent in the UK.

Trio of châteaux joins Bibendum’s Bordeaux project

Published: 20 February, 2020

Bibendum Wine has announced three new châteaux have joined its Bordeaux fine wine project launched in partnership with négociant Compagnie Medocaine at the beginning of this month.