France - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

French champions recognised for UK service

Published: 07 February, 2024

Daniel Lambert Wines, Waitrose and The Wine Society were among some of the big winners at The French Champion Awards organised and hosted by Business France.

North South Wines adds first-ever Rhône producer

Published: 02 February, 2024

Wine importer North South Wines (NSW) has strengthened its French range with the addition of Maison Brotte, the fifth generation family-run producer based in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Languedoc yields 15% down following drought and mildew

Published: 09 January, 2024

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc (CIVL), which represents 2,000 estates across the region has published its 2023 vintage report, revealing a 15% decline in production on the five-year average.

Les Jamelles launches colour-coded range

Published: 08 January, 2024

Leading Languedoc varietal brand Les Jamelles has launched its Tasteful Encounters campaign and introduced a colourful new look.

Centre-Loire a ‘typical winegrower’s vintage’

Published: 27 November, 2023

Following a fruitful vintage the year before, 2023 was hard work for winegrowers in Centre-Loire, according to the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre (BIVC).

Jeannie Cho Lee MW replaces Jasper Morris MW at Sotheby’s

Published: 20 November, 2023

The 163rd edition of the Hospices de Beaune wine sale will see Jeannie Cho Lee MW replace Jasper Morris MW as a consultant for the annual wine auction.

Loire Valley vintage impacted by ‘complex weather’

Published: 16 November, 2023

Variable weather in the Loire Valley, which frequently fluctuated between soaking wet and scorching hot, has led to varied yields across the appellation.

Champagne Billecart-Salmon partners with Jérôme Bretaudeau

Published: 24 October, 2023

Family-owned Champagne House Billecart-Salmon has partnered with Jérôme Bretaudeau, a renowned winemaker in the western part of the Loire Region.

Badet Clément goes back to its roots with Delaunay rebrand

Published: 23 October, 2023

Historic French company Badet Clément will once again be known by its Delaunay name, after a ‘lucky twist’ enabled the family to buy back the name which was lost three decades ago.

French vignerons loot Spanish Cava and red wine

Published: 20 October, 2023

French vignerons yesterday (19 October) looted Spanish wine trucks during a road blockade, smashing cases of Freixenet Cava and spilling red wine onto the A9 motorway, south of Perpignan.

Producers to present winning wines at the Sud de France Top 100 tasting

Published: 17 October, 2023

Registration is now open for the Sud de France 2023 Top 100 tasting – an opportunity to taste all 100 wines from 61 producers which have won their place in this year’s league.

Château Saint-Maur joins Bancroft

Published: 22 September, 2023

UK importer Bancroft Wines has added one of the finest properties in Provence, Château Saint-Maur, to its portfolio.

Languedoc AOP targets UK market

Published: 11 September, 2023

A regional appellation that stretches from Collioure, near the Spanish border, to the gates of Nîmes, Languedoc AOP has established itself as one of the foremost French wine appellations in the last 15 years, particularly in the export market.

2023 Champagne harvest underway with lower yield set

Published: 05 September, 2023

The 2023 harvest in Champagne commenced on Saturday, 2 September, and despite difficult weather during ripening, the region expects a “high-quality harvest”.

Friday read: Provence, Pernod and the rise of ‘pink gold’

Published: 25 August, 2023

Nicknamed ‘pink gold’ on the Cote d’Azur, Provence rosé continues to see a flood of investment into the category – most recently demonstrated by Pernod Ricard, which has acquired a majority share of Château Sainte Marguerite.

Advertisement Feature: Boosting Bergerac

Published: 04 August, 2023

Let’s collectively banish the notion that Bergerac is simply a “pleasant alternative” to Bordeaux. Indeed, the delectable wines of the south-west have their own distinct identity, notwithstanding the popularity of Cabernet Sauvignon – and Merlot – in the vineyards of the Dordogne. Yet there are key differences: the climate shows more continental flourishes than the Atlantic-influenced Gironde, for example, and there are well-drained limestone soils on higher ground. The potential to make outstanding wine in the green valleys of Bergerac is unprecedented.

Advertisement Feature: The versatility of Rhône

Published: 19 July, 2023

One need only look to the recent La Vie en Rhône rosé tastings to see the diversity of rosés on offer across the region. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Bordeaux En Primeur 2022 ‘a missed opportunity’

Published: 04 July, 2023

The fine wine marketplace Liv-ex described Bordeaux En Primeur 2022 as ‘a missed opportunity’ in its latest report, due, in large part, to exceedingly high critic scores.