NEWS |
Wednesday July 22 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Bordeaux marketing board to set aside wines from 2020 to reduce oversupplies

Each year, the CIVB board will establish a progress report after appellation applications are filed, announced Bernard Farges.
Tuesday July 21 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

After many months of disease pressure, France’s vineyards are now in fine fettle again

Veraison will soon be with us, bringing relief for winegrowers.
Monday July 20 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

Millésime Bio expects a record waiting list, but also lots of uncertainties for 2021

No conferences, masterclasses or official launch parties have been slated as yet for Millésime Bio as the organisers have decided to wait until the autumn to weigh up the possibilities depending on health guidelines.
Friday July 17 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Using treated waste water to irrigate vines in Languedoc

“We have also observed a fertigation effect, which reduces the amount of fertiliser applied by 50 to 70% depending on the amount of water used”, says Hernan Ojeda.
Thursday July 16 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

New DNA analysis to treat downy mildew less but also better

“We will be able to tell our customers which agents the strains are resistant to, whether these resistances are weak or strong, and help them choose their plant protection products”, explains Jérémie Brusini.
Wednesday July 15 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

New French Agriculture Minister determined to end use of glyphosate by 2021

Julien Denormandie has his sights squarely set on ensuring glyphosate is banned at the start of 2021. His ministry will soon publish the results of an inventory showing progress on purchases of herbicides.
Tuesday July 14 2020 - competition by Vitisphere

Montpellier chosen as the capital of Grenaches du Monde

The competition has two new features this year – it is now open to Marselan (a cross between Grenache and Cabernet-Sauvignon) and a new accolade has been introduced (ambassador wines, a selection of the finest gold medallists).
Monday July 13 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Château d’Yquem releases a more approachable Sauternes for €60

In terms of aroma and flavour, “there are the candied flavours of Sauternes. There are the freshness and citrus fruits of a young vintage, and the palate is fairly rich but driven by freshness”, is how Sandrine Garbay describes the new wines.
Friday July 10 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Burgundy is “the French wine region apparently suffering the least”

Despite a very uncertain future, and a shortfall in the bottom line, the decision was made to maintain funding for various development, promotion and technical activities for the coming financial year.

Thursday July 09 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Vincent Malherbe, vineyard manager for Moët & Chandon: “Each winegrower and Champagne shipper should be able to test new techniques ”

'In the name of showing respect for tradition, our industry has come to a standstill”, says Vincent Malherbe.
Wednesday July 08 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

By taking control of Vinadeis, InVivo breaks through €500-million-barrrier in revenue

“We combine 9 co-operative groups (covering 25,000 hectares under vine in South-West France, the Rhone Valley and Beaujolais). We are gaining traction”, pointed out Thierry Blandinières.
Tuesday July 07 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Three Bordeaux winery workers win industrial tribunal case against their Chinese employer

3,000 hl of wine, the equivalent of four vintages, are waiting in the cellar alongside 28,000 bottles.
Monday July 06 2020 - Winemaking by Vitisphere

Loss of smell is more crippling to the wine industry than was thought

“Our concern, as an industry organisation, is to help our members. We work with our noses and tasting every day is a necessity”, stressed Didier Fages.
Friday July 03 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

Collective trademark status secured by Cognac is being used by Bordeaux to combat counterfeiting in China

The conviction secured by the CIVB was publicised at a press conference and could act as a deterrent for other counterfeiters.

Thursday July 02 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Electrically heated cables return to Chablis to ward off frost

“The system's power of 120 to 140 kW/ha guarantees efficiency down to -10°C. When it is switched on, the temperature is kept at between 15 and 20°C along the trellising wire”, explains Fabien Queffelec.
Wednesday July 01 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

An autonomous robot that eliminates downy and powdery mildew overnight

Thorvald measures 2.4m x 1.2m and moves at a speed of 1.5 metres per second.
Tuesday June 30 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Bordeaux debates permanent removal of 8 to 10,000 hectares of vines

In view of the current marketing imbalance, the whole point of a vine-pull scheme is to rebalance supply and demand.
Monday June 29 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Tensions mount over 2020 yields for Champagne

“The crisis we are going through is the worst since Champagne was created. Weathering the storm is not about resolving the sum of individual interests but promoting the collective interest”, stresses Maxime Toubart.
Friday June 26 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Rémy Cointreau negotiates its return to Champagne

The family-run J. de Telmont brand would become Rémy Cointreau’s new Champagne subsidiary company.
Thursday June 25 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris to become a single exhibition

“This full-fledged business event will be held from 15 to 17 February and will welcome more than 2,900 exhibitors from around the world”, stated a joint press release.
Wednesday June 24 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

The first insect-based fertiliser released in the French market

The French company feeds its Tenebrio Molitor worms on cereal by-products.
Tuesday June 23 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

AOC Bordeaux aims to scale back production by 20% in 2020

If mildew and hail do not put a curb on production of red AOC wines, yield reductions and compulsory reserves will.
Monday June 22 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Crisis distillation exceeds budget threshold of 2 million hectolitres in France

“We have no figures. There is total uncertainty”, says Jérôme Despey.
Friday June 19 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Martell plants 123 grape varieties resistant to powdery and downy mildew

290 disease resistant grape varieties will be planted. In three years’ time, the twenty best will be replanted on a larger scale.
Thursday June 18 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Bordeaux wine growers struggle to keep on top of mildew

In addition to the leaves, symptoms are also very visible on the clusters.
Wednesday June 17 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

French shipping firms reportedly have 70,000 hl of wines to distil

Initial feedback from the South-West wine trade association reveals that volumes due to be distilled by non-producing shipping firms will be very low.
Tuesday June 16 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Slow-down for Burgundy wine exports

Burgundy wines posted a drop in exports over the first quarter of 2020, in a challenging economic environment, particularly due to the Trump tax
Monday June 15 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Back to basics for Grands Crus during the coronavirus crisis

Château Beychevelle produces 240,000 bottles a year and currently sells more than 80% of its wines En Primeur in a single tranche.
Friday June 12 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Martell, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët head towards phasing out pesticides

“Regenerative farming involves agroecology, agroforestry, permaculture...” specified Bernard Pineau.
Thursday June 11 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Brussels under pressure to alleviate the effects of the crisis on the wine industry

“If Parliament objects, the risk is that the Commission will have to directly withdraw [these regulations]. This is already creating a degree of uncertainty in the industry”, warned Michael Scannel.
Wednesday June 10 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Temperatures during flowering in 2019 determine 2020 crop yields

For vine flowering, there is a critical 2-week period.
Tuesday June 09 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

French brokers are more worried about the amount of wine to distil than the price

The unprecedented coronavirus crisis is having varying effects on French wine regions, depending on their market dynamics, and is worsening existing trends.
Monday June 08 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

The local market at the core of the Rhone Valley’s recovery plan

Rhone firms should not need to resort to crisis distillation
Friday June 05 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Alain Bouquet’s first disease-resistant varieties listed in the French catalogue

The red grape variety Rebelia and the white grape variety Recybel.
Thursday June 04 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

Beaujolais nouveau 2020 to be released earlier than normal

Beaujolais Nouveau wines will be able to leave wineries earlier this year, as will shipments to non-EU countries.
Wednesday June 03 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Pontet-Canet sells 100 % of its En Primeur wines in just 3 hours

The 2019 vintage is the last one supervised by Jean-Michel Comme (right), who has managed Alfred Tesseron's (left) estate since 1989.
Tuesday June 02 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

France decides to finance distillation to reduce volumes

Although the government has outlined proposals, it has not yet reached a firm decision on its aid plan for the wine industry.
Monday June 01 2020 - Land management by Vitisphere

The price of vineyards continues to climb in France in 2019

“SAFER agencies are reporting that business is currently at a standstill. People are eyeing the future with apprehension”, said Emmanuel Hyest.
Friday May 29 2020 - Winemaking by Vitisphere

A dash of gunflint to boost aroma in white wines

Galdric Nogues, product manager for Lamothe Abiet's fermentation range, monitored the research in conjunction with the Asti viticulture and oenology research centre in Italy during the 2019 harvest.

Thursday May 28 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Sparkling from Provence aims to help move rosé upmarket

Available in white (90% Rolle and 10% Viognier) and rosé (60% Grenache and 40% Cinsault), the Les Impatients range has a recommended retail price of 14 euros.
Wednesday May 27 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Sales of Cognac plummet during coronavirus crisis

“The [coronavirus] crisis will have an impact, and there is no reason why it should be any different to other crises: a drop in sales and then a rebound. What we don't know today is how long it will last”, said Patrice Pinet.
Tuesday May 26 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

The director of the wine subsidiary of France's leading co-operative group leaves suddenly

InVivo has significant funds to invest since the sale, in July 2018, of its animal nutrition subsidiary, Neovia, to the American group Archer Daniels Midland Company (sale of 67.5% of shares for 1.5 billion euros).

Monday May 25 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Storage firm refurbishes 15 tanks to hold 190,000 hl of wines from crisis distillation measures

Preparing for a busy time as crude spirits are shipped out of distilleries, the Port-La-Nouvelle depot is not publicising the cost of rental at its facilities.
Friday May 22 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

€1 million to kick-start consumption of Alsace wines

In terms of strategy, “considering 2020 is not over and done with is a conscious decision”, admitted Philippe Bouvet.
Thursday May 21 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

Summer campaign for Bordeaux En Primeur

“Using this format, we can potentially reach out to 85 to 90% of the world's En Primeur customers”, said Ronan Laborde.
Wednesday May 20 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Unprecedented - vines bloom exceptionally early across France

Time for excitement. On social media, winegrowers have put aside the stress caused by mildew and the inaccessibility of many vineyards to share their best shots of vines in bloom.
Tuesday May 19 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Champagne makes radical decisions to deal with Covid-19 crisis

The long-awaited decision on authorised yields for the 2020 harvest should be made public at the end of July.
Monday May 18 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

French wine industry not entirely convinced by coronavirus crisis plan

“Any help is good” is the basic feeling within the French wine industry, with major nuances.
Thursday May 14 2020 - Equipment by Vitisphere

Good news, Eima is open for business this year

The Eima equipment trade fair attracted 230,000 visitors at its last edition in 2018 in Bologna.
Wednesday May 13 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

The end of gilding for one Grand Cru Classé as it ramps up its sustainability credentials

Through all of its packaging initiatives, the estate intends to save 8 tons of raw materials per year in the long run.
Tuesday May 12 2020 - Expert advice by Vitisphere

Boxed wines stole the show during lockdown but will they become a hospitality staple?

“We need high-performance R&D dynamics to stay ahead of and guide changes in consumption pattrens”, pointed out Eric Lanxade, whose primary concern is that wine consumption can be a shared pleasure.
Monday May 11 2020 - Wine people by Vitisphere

Consultant winemaker Michel Rolland intends to slow down, “but will always be there to holler”

Michel and Dany Rolland surrounded by their partners, Jean-Philippe Fort, Julien Viaud and Mikael Laizet.
Friday May 08 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

C10 is “not convinced that people will rush to bistros or that wine consumption will rise”

“The 4,000 employees of firms belonging to the C10 network have mostly been furloughed (90%)”, specified a press release.
Thursday May 07 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

A high-tech puppet in the vineyard

“Can you visualise the cameras that follow the ball from the top of large football stadiums? The cable robot works based on the same principles”
Wednesday May 06 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Lack of foreign seasonal workers causes concern that the French wine industry will run out of manpower

A combination of early vine growth and the coronavirus epidemic has made the need for seasonal workers for the 2020 harvest urgent
Tuesday May 05 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

“Champagne sales plummeted by 80% in March and April”

Maxime Toubart, chairman of the producers’ organisation SGV: “I renew my call to shippers to roll out a broad-ranging communications campaign for Champagne, targeting consumer profiles and countries. This is the right time to do so”.
Monday May 04 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Brussels to let the wine industry distil and store its surpluses with no support

“It is clear that whatever measures we adopt, with our tight budgetary situation there will always be the expectation that more can be done. We are doomed to choose and prioritise”, said Janusz Wojciechowski.
Friday May 01 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Hail takes care of the harvest over thousands of hectares in Bordeaux

“The majority of vines affected are not like in this photo”, pointed out Philippe Abadie.
Thursday April 30 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Physical checks on PDOs and PGIs suspended during lockdown

For PDO and PGI wines, “given the impossibility of carrying out some of the checks, products can be awarded an Official Sign of Quality and Origin provided firms are accredited and every aspect of specifications, including the obligation to declare, are complied with”, said INAO.
Wednesday April 29 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Distillation and storage of wine to be permitted, but not funded

“The measures proposed are, in the present state of market developments, intended to send a signal aimed at stabilising markets”, said Europe’s Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski.
Tuesday April 28 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

Plans for a post-lockdown, multi-site En Primeur week take shape

“There would be no large gatherings, but rather intimate sessions, in suitable and well-equipped venues”, said Ronan Laborde.
Monday April 27 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Wine sales in Europe expected to fall by 35%.

“At the moment we are witnessing a huge change due to the current pandemic, which will have a consequential impact on many aspects of the lives of farms and vineyards, as well as on the production and trade in grapes and wine”, said Pau Roca on 23 April.
Friday April 24 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Christian Lacroix designs the livery for Château Sainte Roseline’s patented bottle

“The bottle was very innovative at the time. It was created by Baroness de Rasque de Laval, with a slender top inspired by a bottle of Alsace and the base of a perfume bottle from Grasse”, explained Aurélie Bertin.
Thursday April 23 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Lockdown gives French online wine retailers a boost

Since lockdown was introduced in France on March 17, e-commerce platforms selling wine to private customers have seen sales go through the roof.
Wednesday April 22 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Two winegrower brothers have fought back at the crisis with a sense of humour, and business

This isn’t the first time the two Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil winegrowers have taken a humorous approach. As fans of comic books, they recently launched a collection of wines called the Comic's with a range of fun labels.
Tuesday April 21 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Cognac is starting to tot up the cost of the coronavirus

Cognac is starting to feel the effects of the slowdown caused by the global Covid-19 epidemic in Asian markets.
Monday April 20 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

How France’s wine industry came to the figure of 3 million hl and €80/hl for crisis distillation

“We have to move quickly on distillation, for administrative and technical reasons, in order to remove volumes financially and physically in July and August”, said Stéphane Héraud.
Friday April 17 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

The new label by Ott blends wines from three estates, and increases prices four-fold

This wine is designed to combine “three characteristics: the salinity of Clos Mireille, the silkiness and finesse of Château de Selle, and the depth of Château Romassan”, said Christian Ott.
Thursday April 16 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

Pays d’Oc adapt certification procedures so as not to disrupt sales

The Pays d'Oc producers’ organisation reported that as of 13 March, 4.86 million hl have been certified.
Wednesday April 15 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

French vines still ahead of the growth curve this year

In the Loire Valley, Célia Brégeon from the Pays de Loire Chamber of Agriculture announced the vines were two to three weeks early, “which needs to be put into perspective because the cold weather forecast for the beginning of April will once again slow down growth”.
Tuesday April 14 2020 - distribution by Vitisphere

Champagne sales are in lockdown whilst boxed wine sales rocket in French supermarkets

“In the long term, we will no doubt see a rebound in these alcohol categories as people show a desire to enhance their daily lives, which may seem gloomy and repetitive”, stressed Mathieu André-Febrero, Nielsen's on-trade manager.
Monday April 13 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Coronavirus crisis distillation being mulled in France, and elsewhere

Crisis distillation is still at the discussion stage, though being seriously considered, and is one of a series of measures requested by the wine industry.
Friday April 10 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

With coronavirus, “paying out dividends for Vranken-Pommery Champagnes is out of the question”

“France has now entered a phase of lockdown, just like other countries in Europe and the world”, commented the Reims-based group.
Thursday April 09 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Reluctance by insurers to provide cover forces Cognac growers to equip themselves against frost damage

On average, installation costs range from €35,000 for 3 hectares with a mobile fan to over €50,000 for 5 hectares for a fixed turbine.
Wednesday April 08 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Montlouis trials sheep grazing in its vineyards

Over the past few days, the sheep have started to take an interest in the vine buds... They will soon be removed from the vineyards, before returning next winter.

Tuesday April 07 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

Bordeaux En Primeur: “It is so frustrating not to be able to present the excellent 2019 vintage”

With En Primeur week cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and French lockdown measures, the latest Bordeaux vintage stays safely stored in the wineries.
Monday April 06 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

The battle of endurance against spring frosts has started in France

Muscadet is being kept on its toes and is preparing for more frost this spring and this vintage but also the following vintages as budburst is occurring increasingly earlier.
Friday April 03 2020 - Equipment by Vitisphere

Equipment factories shut down due to the coronavirus crisis

A Pellenc production line in Pertuis.
Thursday April 02 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Research into water stress, genetics and hybridization makes headway

Vine scorching as seen in Languedoc in 2019.
Wednesday April 01 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

French wine industry encouraged to make wide scale use of State-secured loans

Cash flow problems must be quickly removed, “there are already enough challenges with the scarcity of sales outlets, logistics and manpower problems”, stressed Bernard Farges.
Tuesday March 31 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Vinexpo remains confident about the current situation

Patrick Seguin, chairman of the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry and of Vinexpo: “We are firmly committed to keeping the show in Hong Kong. There don't seem to be any new cases of coronavirus in Asia. The situation is improving”.
Monday March 30 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

Frost hits the vineyards of southern France

Frost has wrought damage on vines in the Rhone Valley, Provence and Gard for the first time this year.
Friday March 27 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Bordeaux has two years’ worth of wine sales in stock

Over the first six months of the 2019-2020 marketing campaign, the CIVB registered 766,200 hl of bulk wine purchase contracts. This is an increase of 21% compared to August 2018-January 2019.
Thursday March 26 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

Chinese trade fair WBWE postponed until the much-hoped-for improvement in July

“After listening carefully to attendees and partners of WBWE Asia, as well as the local government of Yantai, it has been decided to postpone the show”, announced the organisers.
Wednesday March 25 2020 - Wine and media by Vitisphere

Chablis the hero of a Netflix series

Uncorked is a Netflix drama featuring wine and in particular Domaine Long-Depaquit belonging to Maison Albert Bichot.
Tuesday March 24 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

French wine producers concerned about cash flow

“The challenge is to get through this crisis as calmly as possible”, says Jean-Marie Fabre.
Monday March 23 2020 - Expert advice by Vitisphere

What impact have tariffs and the coronavirus had on the US wine market?

Sales outlets are closing as the coronavirus spreads, but wine sales are not necessarily dropping because of this.
Friday March 20 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

The first range of PGI wines from resistant varieties is released

“When I started planting disease-resistant grape varieties in 2009, many viewed it as the crazy act of a madman”, recalls Mickaël Raynal.
Thursday March 19 2020 - Wine people by Vitisphere

Charles Schaller chairs the Crémants d’Alsace producers’ organisation

Charles Schaller runs the family vineyard Edgard Schaller & Fils.
Wednesday March 18 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Sluggish market for Saint-Emilion

Concern about the market for bulk wine from Saint-Emilion looms due to a drop in prices since the beginning of the marketing campaign.
Tuesday March 17 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Loadings of red PGI Pays d’Oc lose momentum

Sales of red Pays d'Oc wines have slowed compared with last year
Monday March 16 2020 - Market conditions by Vitisphere

Bordeaux needs to “come out of the closet”

Stephan Delaux, deputy mayor of Bordeaux in charge of tourism, Bernard Farges, chairman of the CIVB and Alan Sichel, vice-chairman.
Friday March 13 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Guy Rochais hands the keys of Château de Plaisance to Vannessa Cherruau

Guy Rochais has given the keys of Château de Plaisance to Vannessa Cherruau and not to Loire Propriétés
Thursday March 12 2020 - marketing by Vitisphere

Touraine Primeur poised to get a new lease of life

The Touraine Primeur Wine Competition is due to be re-launched after a break.
Wednesday March 11 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Maxime Toubart re-elected chair of the Champagne winegrowers' association

Maxime Toubart has just been re-elected chair of the Champagne winegrowers' association.
Tuesday March 10 2020 - Vine growing by Vitisphere

First conclusive results on agrivoltaics in France

Solar panels installed in vineyards seem to have an impact on the vine's resistance to water stress.
Monday March 09 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

5,000 euros for a combination of 18-carat gold and 50-year-old Cognac

A bead 8 millimetres in diameter is set within the ring.
Friday March 06 2020 - Wine people by Vitisphere

Wine and media personality Daniel Benharros passes away

“Very many people who hold a position in the wine media today owe him somewhere between a great deal and a huge amount”, is how Nicolas de Rouyn paid tribute to Daniel Benharros in his blog.
Thursday March 05 2020 - Business by Vitisphere

Orchidée wines turn 100% Loire

Bernard Jacob, managing director of Orchidées Maisons de vin, has announced that he has finished restructuring the group.
Wednesday March 04 2020 - Industry issues by Vitisphere

Emmanuel Macron seeks European aid for French wines

After tasting grape-flavoured beers and Savoy cheeses, Emmanuel Macron tasted a Provence rosé as a host of the national committee for appellation and geographical indication wines (CNIV).
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