France Bon Appétit

France dominates the fine wine market because of its terroir and its refined vinification techniques. The diversity of grape varieties (each one linked to a different soil), climatic conditions and the know-how of its wine producers, means that, collectively, the French vineyards are varied and rich. French wines benefit from a well-established industry and also from rigorous controls. Faced with on-going competition from the New World, France retains an important place on the growing US market.

France, On-Going and Dynamic

Wine and spirits represents the lion’s share of French agricultural exports with 41% of wines and 35% of spirits.
As for wines, the US market is predominantly made of domestics wines but the imported wine market share has been growing for more than 10 years. France represents 15% of the imported wines market and is in 3rd position in volume and 2nd in value, with a large dominance of AOC wines.
As for Spirits, France has taken the lead when it comes to Vodka, ranking #1in value and #2 in volume on the entire imported vodka segment. (As of Sep 30 2008)

The benchmark for quality

From a rich and diverse terroir, created by dedicated and knowledgeable producers, French wines are recognised across the world for their outstanding quality.
The most influential wine critic, the American Robert Parker, confided to Le Figaro in April 2008 that ‘French wines remain the reference point for all countries which produce great wine. Its greatness and intrinsic quality have become the reference point influencing winemakers across every country where they are consciously evaluating their products. Today French wines have progressed considerably in quality even in difficult vintages.’

The Regions and the Terroirs

A good vineyard terroir is a combination of grape variety, soil, climate and man’s know-how. In France, vines are cultivated in very different regions, but always where there is a moderate climate which is favorable to vegetal development. 872,000 hectares are given over to vines, with around 144,000 grape growing businesses.
The climate, the diversity of grapes as well as the variety of French soils favour vine cultivation across a range of terroirs:

• Alsace, Champagne and Burgundy have a continental climate.
• Bordeaux, the South-West and the Loire Valley have an Atlantic climate.
• The Rhône Valley, the South, Provence and Corsica have a Mediterranean climate.

Variety and Richness

With its large regions as well as its abundance of isolated vineyards, France can offer over 400 different Appellation d’Origine Contrôlee wines and 152 Vins de Pays. This means that it can keep its place as one of the leading producers and exporters of wine in the world (2006).
A lively and aromatic Crémant d’Alsace, a rich and unctuous Sauternes, a supple and meaty Saint-Emilion, a spicy Côtes du Rhône or an elegant Volnay… the range is so large it is always possible to find a French wine which suits the dish, the mood or the whim of the moment.

Source: French Customs 2007

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