French told to rebrand or else face decline

Published: 23 July, 2008

Panel discussions get lively

PARTICIPANTS IN THE first ever French Wine Week sent a strong, but constructive message to the French wine industry last week: rebrand France and the image of French wines or face a period of further decline in the UK. The series of trade events included three lively panel discussions: "French wines: essential to the restaurant wine list", "The relevance of French wines to today's consumer" and "The French offer and the evolving needs of the UK consumer" and concluded with a tasting and dinner at the Lloyd's Building in London. The dinner saw the presentation of the first French Awards for Excellence to Jolle Marti of The Great Eastern Hotel (On-Trade Personality of the Year), Paul Boutinot Agencies (Best New Product Launch for Rvolution Red and White) and Grard Basset MW (Special Award). Chris Mitchell of Sopexa was upbeat about the week. "The fact that the event took place demonstrates that the French are very serious about what the UK trade has to say. The transcripts will be sent verbatim back to ONIVINS in France."

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