I SEEN @ WINE PARIS &
I SEEN @ WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS 2023 I Cave d'Aleria showcases popular Corsican wines Cave d'Aleria, a co-operative of 70 winegrowers covering 1,500 hectares, was one of a number of Corsican producers at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023. "We had a lot of meetings for me for the export market and for my colleague the sales director for France," said Karine Morel, export sales manager for Cave d'Aleria. "In Corsica we say we have three markets. The first is the Corsican market, where we sell about 35%. The second is the export market, which is about 20%, then the French market [about 45%]." Typically, European visitors were familiar with Corsica, Karine said, but the show offered an opportunity to familiarise visitors from further afar, such as Japan and Australia, about the island Karine Morel Cru Boutenac sparks interest during its Wine Paris & Vinexpo debut We're very happy because we have a lot of people. We're very happy with the feedback about our wines, our new range. We are very proud to develop and to produce these wines," said Khadija Mezhoud, marketing-incharge for Cellier des Demoiselles, one of the wineries with a booth on the Cru Boutenac pavilion. Khadija said there was plenty of international interest during the show, which offered an opportunity to raise the profile of the appellation Baptiste Cabal, President, Cellier des Demoiselles Khadija Mezhoud, marketing-in-charge for Cellier des Demoiselles Beautiful special edition rosé bottles displayed by Les Vignerons du Brulhois Les Vignerons du Brulhois, a cooperative of 50 growers between Toulouse and Bordeaux, showcased its annual special edition Grain d'Amour rosé at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023. Each year the special edition has a new design produced by a different partner. "It's extremely aromatic. The main market is young people starting to drink wine, because it's very perfumed and fruity," said Delphine Leuillet, the commercial director. She added that the show was "very busy", with many visitors to the booth from France, Europe and China, to give some examples. "We are interested in developing Australia because this is a big market for French rosé," Delphine said Sobovi looks east as it aims to increase sales to mainland China The wine merchant Sobovi, part of Groupe Bernard Bordeaux, was pleased at the wide range of attendees at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023. "All the existing and major customers are there from all countries," said Jean- Baptiste Jubert, Sobovi's commercial director. "A lot of people from South America, United States, Asia, more Chinese, both from the diaspora and from mainland China. People from China were quite enthusiastic and some ordered from the stand." Currently, mainland China is not one of the company's larger export markets, but the firm is keen to expand sales there, and attending the show could play a role in achieving that 12 • THE DAILY • THURSDAY 23 RD FEBRUARY 2023 wineparis-vinexpo.vinexposium-connect.com
I REGION I REST OF THE WORLD I xxxxx xxxxx Jelmer brings a Dutch flavour to Alsace winemaking A Dutch man who married into an Alsace family with a winemaking heritage dating back to the 16th century was among the exhibitors at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023. Jelmer Witkamp, the owner and winemaker of Moritz en Alsace, which has 10 acres of vineyards in the centre of Alsace, was showing about 20 wines, mostly whites and sparkling wines. "Everybody wants dry everything, which is really nice because that's what we specialise in," said Jelmer, who became part of the Moritz family around 15 years ago before taking over from his in-laws two years back. "It has become home now. I wouldn't do anything else right now. It's hard work and also very gratifying" The Chardonnay name helps to keep up demand across the globe The Domaine du Chardonnay is enjoying bumper exports thanks to the stellar reputation of the Chardonnay name across the globe. "A lot goes to the USA, Israel, Denmark and, after these, Lebanon, Spain, Italy and South Korea. It's a famous appellation and is very popular in different countries," said Axelle Franchini, who works on the commercial side of operations for the Chablis-based domaine. Indeed the biggest issue Domaine du Chardonnay faces is struggling to satisfy the demand of buyers. "The buyer wants more wine that we don't have," she added Axelle Franchini UK exports still doing well despite the effects of Brexit Brexit has created extra paperwork but has not hit exports to the UK, according to Domaine Guy Allion of Touraine in the Loire Valley. The domaine, which is now run by Cedric Allion, Guy's son, exports about 80% of the production from its 35 acres. "We started with the exports and it's a snowball effect," said Nicolas Donne, who heads commercial development for the domaine. "The US is always on the up and has been for a long time. The main market is the UK and it's been pretty strong despite Brexit. It's [involved] more paperwork. It's been more expensive to get the wine in, but they haven't tried to negotiate down the price" A second-generation domaine that is focused on sustainability Jean-Yves and Philippe Noir, two brothers, head up a domaine in the heart of the Jura vineyards in Poligny and they are focused on sustainable production and culture. Domaine de la Petite Marne - Noir Freres Vignerons, which covers 11 hectares and has vines aged from 20 to 45 years, was founded by the brothers' father, Jean. Lucie Allard from the domaine, which produces white wines, reds and a range of specialities of the Jura said a key focus was on securing Bio certification in the next three years. Consumers are keen, she said, for wines produced in a natural way. "They feel it's more safe for them," she said. THE DAILY • THURSDAY 23 RD FEBRUARY 2023 • 13
