The Bordeaux wine industry certainly had more reason to be optimistic at this year’s annual harvest press conference than it has had for the past couple of years. In his run-down of the region’s current economic situation this week, CIVB chairman Georges Haushalter said that half the losses incurred in export markets because of the global recession had already been recouped. The financial crisis in 2008 led to 700,000 hl in lost sales in 2008/2009, putting many Bordeaux wine producers on the brink of bankruptcy. Moving annual totals to June 2011 show a continued improvement in sales with exports up by 23 percent in volume and 34 percent in value. The widely-reported rise to prominence of China, now Bordeaux’s top export destination, is confirmed in MAT data (+52 percent in volume/+60 percent in value). However, most countries also imported more Bordeaux wines this year than last. Similarly, Georges Haushalter was keen to stress that it is not only the top-end wines that are performing [...]

This year’s Champagne harvest that came to an end in mid-September was as atypical as the beginning of the viticultural year. A harsh winter, a summer-like springtime and an autumnal summer meant that the vines lost some of the three weeks advance recorded in early July. However, picking still... [ lire la suite ]

Buyers around the world are confirming the increased popularity of bulk wines in the international marketplace. This is borne out by statistics which show a 22 percent rise in bulk wine sales last year compared with 2009. As many of those buyers look forward to the next World Bulk Wine... [ lire la suite ]

A group of energetic and socially-connected American wine tasters have selected the Bordeaux Wine Council’s annual list of Today’s Bordeaux, a collection of affordable and accessible wines available to U.S. wine enthusiasts. The 2011 list highlights the top 45 wines priced between $9 and $45.... [ lire la suite ]

Stefan Neumann, Austrian-born sommelier working at The Fat Duck, has won the 2011 Sud de France sommelier competition, held at the Maison de la Region Languedoc-Roussillon, London. The 26 year-old sommelier fought off fierce opposition from 58 contestants and is the third winner of the competition... [ lire la suite ]

The official 2009 Crus Bourgeois du Médoc selection was presented this week by the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois. A total 246 Crus Bourgeois du Médoc were chosen from the outstanding 2009 vintage. Their combined hectareage covers almost 4,300 hectares divided between a range of prestigious Bordeaux... [ lire la suite ]

One of France’s leading wine producers, Languedoc-based Val d’Orbieu, is intending to expand in China. A new regional director has been recruited – Frédéric Bongard – and a bridgehead has been established in Shanghai. The decision stems from the progressive increase of exports to China and from the... [ lire la suite ]