France - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

France Report: Champagne

Published: 27 June, 2023

With grower Champagnes and the sparkling category in general ascendancy, Lucy Shaw looks at who really wields the power in Champagne.

Frozen out at the entry level by difficult harvests, and with increasingly eye-watering prices at the top, France is having to be nimble as a category – though its brand equity remains high, writes Jo Gilbert.

Progressive winemaking and climate-beating styles key to Loire’s future

Published: 16 June, 2023

The Loire Valley’s diverse patchwork of appellations are well-placed to meet today’s challenges and trends, according to a cross-trade panel at the recent Bloom Big! Tasting in London.

Andre Lurton Family Wines (re) enter the UK via North South Wines

Published: 15 June, 2023

After a quiet number of years in the UK, the Andre Lurton Family will re-enter the British market with the support of its new agency partner North South Wines.

Maison Bruno Paillard appoints Wanderlust Wine as UK distributor

Published: 12 June, 2023

Maison Bruno Paillard, the independent family-owned house, specialising in Extra Brut Champagnes, has appointed Wanderlust Wine to distribute its portfolio in the UK.

Maison Mirabeau Achieves B Corp Certification

Published: 07 June, 2023

Leading rosé brand Mirabeau has achieved B Corp certification this month, joining Concha y Toro and Piper-Heidsieck as pioneers in this small but growing club of certified wineries.

Bordeaux 2022 best-ever recorded by Wine Lister

Published: 06 June, 2023

In part two of Wine Lister’s 2023 Bordeaux Study, the company has given the 2022 vintage the highest overall Wine Lister Quality score ever recorded, with 29 wines achieving scores of 980 or more in 2022, compared with just five in 2021.

Sud de France to host ‘biggest-ever’ annual tasting in London

Published: 31 May, 2023

Occitanie has established itself as one of the most dynamic regions in France for organic wine production, and this will come to the fore at the biggest-ever annual tasting hosted by Sud de France in London.

Bordeaux 2022: Some like it hot

Published: 10 May, 2023

Harpers’ man in Bordeaux, Gavin Quinney of Château Bauduc, weighs up the 2022 vintage – and finds it could be one of the greats, though uneven.

Independents encouraged to sign up for summer Beaujolais promotion

Published: 09 May, 2023

In association with Harpers’ publisher Agile Media, independents are invited to sign up for the Share the Spirit of Beaujolais promotion, to help elevate the profile of the region and drive an uplift in sales.

Insatiable demand for En Primeur Burgundy and luxury Champagne may be weakening, suggests new report

Published: 03 May, 2023

A study published by investment firm WineCap has revealed several key trends that continue to shape the fine wine market in 2023, including a relatively lacklustre demand for 2021 Burgundy and expensive bubbly.

The Bollinger Group expands Burgundian footprint with Château d’Etroyes deal

Published: 26 April, 2023

The Bollinger Group has further added to its Burgundy offering with the acquisition of Château d’Etroyes – a 50ha estate in the heart of the Mercurey and Rully terroirs.

Majestic announces new rosé listing

Published: 19 April, 2023

The UK’s number one wine retailer, Majestic, has won the race to supply Roseblood rosé by Chateau d’Estoublon to the British off-trade.

Bordeaux closing the gap according to Wine Lister

Published: 12 April, 2023

Momentum continues to grow for Bordeaux as the price appreciation gap narrows in comparison with other fine wine regions.

Bordeaux 2022: The weather factor

Published: 11 April, 2023

With the world descending on the region to taste the latest vintage, here’s how the weather shaped the style of the wines. Gavin Quinney delivers part one of his annual report.

Bordeaux 2022 produces ‘high-quality grapes’ despite climate records

Published: 31 March, 2023

The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) has released its 2022 vintage report, citing difficult climate conditions and one of the earliest harvests on record.

Promising Burgundy 2022 vintage will ‘take the pressure off’

Published: 24 March, 2023

After three years of low yields impacted by weather events, Vins de Bourgogne has reported a 75% increase in volume vs 2021, accounting for nearly 1.75 million ha of wine. This will allow stocks to build back up after successive harvests that were low in quantity, but high on quality.

Oxo Tower to host 46 biodynamic winegrowers in trade tasting

Published: 23 March, 2023

Said to be “London’s most comprehensive biodynamic wine tasting”, the Biodyvin tasting will showcase 46 biodynamic winemakers from 13 different European wine regions.

Languedoc's changing tide in fortunes

Published: 17 March, 2023

The Languedoc AOP continues its journey to bridge the gap between entry level and top tier, premium wines, with a raft of eminently drinkable styles now finding favour with consumers from across its stable of reds, whites – and increasingly – rosés. Jo Gilbert reports from a fascinating roundtable session.

Managing the flames of Champagne demand

Published: 15 March, 2023

Out of the Covid frying pan into the cost of living fire – having experienced a strong bounce in premium sales, how is Champagne faring as inflationary pressures continue to impact? James Bayley reports.