Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
French wines' new export strategy: think "Coca-Cola"
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
French wines' new export strategy: think "Coca-Cola"
AFP - Tuesday, June 29
Send
IM Story
Print
French wines' new export strategy: think "Coca-Cola"
PARIS (AFP) - – You know times have changed when French wine promoters, bruised by competition from "New World" wines, say they have to think more "like Coca-Cola".
The sector has started fighting back with the New World upstarts' own weapon -- dropping complex regional labelling for the plain old grape name.
Even the staunchest of Gallic wine lovers now order chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon instead of, say, their favourite Chablis or Bordeaux.
The change concerns everyday wines, notably those bound for export. Labels on better varieties, grand cru and AOC or "controlled designation of origin" wines will carry on in time-honoured fashion.
But it's a jolt in a country where regional identity remains strong (are you from Brittany? Provence?), where the term "terroir" -- soil -- is an agricultural mark of pride, and where wines can be declined down to the hillside where the grapes grew.
The strategy? Market recognition, consistent taste.
"It's like creating a well-known brand name, like Apple or Coca-Cola," said Valerie Pajotin, director of Anivin, a trade organisation formed last year to promote "Vin de France", the new denomination that has replaced the old "vin de table", or table wine, a term that carried a negative connotation of low quality.
The goal? Winning back ground from "New World" competitors, notably Californian and Australian wines that overtook French sales in some key foreign markets like Britain, Germany and the United States.
"In one generation, we lost 20 to 30 percent of the share of our principal markets," said Bertrand Praz, purchasing manager for Grands Chais de France, which bills itself as the leading French exporter of wines and spirits.
In 2009 alone, exports of French wine tumbled 19 percent to 5.5 billion euros (6.7 billion dollars), dropping to levels a decade ago, according to figures from Ubifrance, the French agency for international business development.
Some critics feel the change could damage local wine traditions but Praz insists that French growers need "to be more humble and rethink how they work".
Historically, place has been primordial, even in everyday wines. French producers relied on their reputation for quality and savoir-faire and did not worry about making labels understandable to the uninitiated, he said.
Add to this vintage -- good years and bad years -- to confuse the choice.
In came "New World" wines, starting several decades ago with the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and more recently Chile and Argentina, who wooed away clients with user-friendly labels touting the grape name.
"You can no longer ignore the fact that grape variety is now the undisputed reference" for consumers trying out wines, said Anivin president Rene Moreno.
The client will ask for a "sauvignon" if he wants a dry white wine or a "chardonnay" if he prefers one that's full-bodied, he said.
Chris Adams, chief executive of the major Manhattan retailer Sherry Lehmann said he thought the changes could help French sales in the US. "It's been a long time in coming and there is some ground to be made."
"Newer world varietal wines are starting to lose a bit of traction," said Adams, " and I think what we term 'French country' wines here at SL can gain some ground with this move."
Wine trade sources say the new labelling could also boost domestic sales, notably in supermarket chains and with younger clients.
The new approach was helped by 2008 reforms in the European Union wine sector that allowed use of the generic term "Vin de France".
"The goal is to simplify French offerings based on a label, a taste, a national origin, with a consistent quality, the way New World countries do," Moreno said.
The reforms allow producers to mix the same grape variety from different regions to "allow more creativity and to adapt easier to market demands," said Pajotin, whose Anivin group has an annual 800,000-euro budget.
"This possibility of mixing ensures a consistent quality wanted by the consumer who is expecting the same taste from January 1 to December 31," she said.
Winning back ground from "New World" competitors, notably Californian and Australian wines that overtook French sales in some key foreign markets like Britain, Germany and the United States.
"You can no longer ignore the fact that grape variety is now the undisputed reference" for consumers trying out wines, said Anivin president Rene Moreno.
Like Coca-Cola.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 1 hour 3 minutes ago
Motley Crue singer Vince Neil arrested for drunk driving Reuters - 2 hours 58 minutes ago
India to spend millions restoring classic movies AFP - Tuesday, June 29
Stevie Wonder cheers up Glastonbury after football failure AFP - Tuesday, June 29
Australia says new 'Karate Kid' too brutal for kids AFP - Tuesday, June 29
News Search
Top Stories
Peru inventor 'whitewashes' peaks to slow glacier melt
Iran freezes nuclear talks for two months
Era ends, as Byrd, longest-serving US lawmaker, dies
BP denies Hayward to resign as oil disaster costs soar
Venus battles Groth to reach quarter finals
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Disgraced millionaire lobbyist takes pizza job
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
England-Germany World Cup rivalry felt in Afghanistan
Back from the dead, Saab is ready for its revenge
Amputee cat gets bionic legs
More Most Viewed »
Amputee cat gets bionic legs
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 29 June 2010 Iran freezes nuclear talks for two months
Panama ex-dictator Noriega on trial in France
US-TECH Summary
Obama moves to free spectrum for wireless revolution
Western oil firms stop business with Iran
Era ends, as Byrd, longest-serving US lawmaker, dies
Tycoon trio wins control of France's Le Monde
Iran to 'discipline' West by holding off nuclear talks
BP denies Hayward to resign as oil disaster costs soar
Supreme Court Rules Part Of Sarbanes-Oxley Violated Constitution
Angry House lawmaker cuts aid to Afghanistan
|
Saudi king seeks Obama action on Mideast peace
Football lags other sports on technology
Venus battles Groth to reach quarter finals
Administration Outlines Ambitious Voluntary Broadband Spectrum Plan
EU mobile roaming rates to fall as of July 1
Guinea vote went well despite hitches say observers
|
Apple iPhone 4 Tops 1.7 Million In Sales
Over 12,000 Guineans sms on election issues: US embassy
Personal Spending, Income Rise In May
Apple sold 1.7 million iPhones in three days
Hurricane Watch Raised In Texas, Mexico As Alex Gains Strength
Apple says had sold 1.7 million iPhone 4 on Saturday
"Back To The Future" Trilogy Head To Blu-Ray For 25th Anniversary
Ex-Panamanian dictator Noriega stands trial in Paris
|
"Toy Story 3" Guards Top Spot; "Grown Ups" Take 2nd Place
S.Korean leader wants North apology
Japan war crimes claim sparks France libel case
Li ignores coach to maintain winning feeling
U.S. Senate Republicans rap Obama's high court pick
Japan count on Honda against Paraguay
Five Americans appeal terrorism convictions in Pakistan
India's central bank to weigh interest rate hike: minister
Obama endorses plan to boost wireless broadband
|
Toyota starts production of Europe's first hybrid car
Tata Motors to raise $1 billion in equity and debt
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Motley Crue singer Vince Neil arrested for drunk driving
German police recover stolen Caravaggio painting
India to spend millions restoring classic movies
Saudi Arabia Moves to Regulate Child Marriages
Football's inspiring role at notorious island prison
Dogs join owners in battle against the bulge
French wines' new export strategy: think "Coca-Cola"
Chocolate terracotta warriors to hit Taiwan art show
Stevie Wonder cheers up Glastonbury after football failure
Motley Crue singer Vince Neil arrested for drunk driving
|
U.S. v Ghana tie most-watched soccer game in U.S. history
|
100 foreign troops die in Afghan war in June
US busts 'deep-cover' Russian spy ring
Furious US lawmaker blocks Afghan aid
U.S. missile strike kills 6 militants in northwestern Pakistan
|
Baidu to hire U.S. engineers to work in China
Britain, France, Germany use torture intel: HRW
Rare white elephant caught in Myanmar
Israeli mission complains over Egypt press cartoon
North Korean heir apparent elected to assembly: reports
|
HP cuts contractor use for printer growth
Two held over failed break-in at French imam's home
Oprah tops Forbes celebrity 'power list'
Iran freezes nuclear talks for two months
Chrome unseats Safari as 3rd popular Internet browser
Taiwan and China sign historic trade pact
|
US cracks 'deep-cover' Russia spy mission, arrests 10
US Admits Koreas Are Officially Still At War, Looks Into Norths Actions
Business ideas may be patentable, US Supreme Court says
100 foreign troops die in Afghan war in June
US presses farmers to reduce antibiotics use
Striking workers force closure of Madrid metro
|
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" Features Numerous "Twilight" Guests During "Eclipse" Premiere Week
U.S. Supreme Court Extends Gun Rights To All States, Cities
Brazil ease past Chile, set-up Dutch showdown
Amazon adds video to Kindle e-books on iPad-iPhone
Obama Administration Launches New Space Policy Stressing International Cooperation
Australia PM seeks to end mining row, may call poll
|
Five top U.S. operators pick Samsung Galaxy S phones
Kyrgyz vote wins 90 percent support, Russia wary
|
Era ends as Byrd, longest-serving US lawmaker, dies
Obama endorses plan to boost wireless broadband
Kagan Pledges to be "Modest" as Supreme Court Nomination Hearing Begins
U.S. Markets Finish Slightly Lower As Investors Digest Data, G-20 Comments
Mexico drug hitmen kill state governor candidate
|
Peru inventor 'whitewashes' peaks to slow glacier melt
Israeli inquiry into Gaza flotilla raid opens
|
Tycoon trio wins control of France's Le Monde
Greeks strike on Tuesday, test government pension reform
|
U.S. arrests 10 for allegedly spying for Russia
Tesla stock offering seeks to raise 244 million dollars
Five top U.S. operators pick Samsung Galaxy S phones
US drone strike kills six militants in Pakistan
Senate set to OK Petraeus as U.S. Afghan commander
Baidu to hire U.S. engineers to work in China
|
Motorola and Sprint to sell Windows phone to businesses
China struggles to save 107 buried in landslide
System to assess Afghan forces flawed
Five top U.S. operators pick Samsung Galaxy S phones
|
N.Korean leader's son working as lawmaker: reports
HP cuts contractor use for printer growth
|
Tiger attacks toddler in Indonesian zoo
Sandra Bullock, Jesse James finalize divorce
|
Megan Fox marries in Hawaii: report
|
CSI showrunners renew deals
|
Dr Death admits to fear of death in documentary
|
Women rule Forbes' celebrity power list, Gaga makes debut
|
Radio Disney to air scripted serial
|
Native American actors see new image in Twilight
|
Steve Carell resigning from The Office next year
|
Method Man pleads guilty to tax evasion
|
U.S. top court extends gun rights to states and cities
General McChrystal to retire from U.S. Army-official
Megan Fox marries in Hawaii: report
Australia leadership coup 'not done lightly': MP
Taiwan stocks fall 1 pct; trade deal boost fades
The World's Most Powerful Celebrities
China to stage live-fire military exercises
Longest-serving U.S. lawmaker Byrd dies at 92
Indian Kashmir on the boil again
S.Korea balance of payments hit by market jitters
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
European firms concerned over China regulations
PAKISTAN
Japan unemployment rises as output slows
Pact to draw China, Taiwan closer than ever
Fiji's neighbours slam media crackdown
North Korean heir apparent elected to assembly
Radio Disney to air scripted serial
NZ household borrowing edges higher in May
Sandra Bullock, Jesse James finalize divorce
S.Korea regains status as world's top shipbuilder
IMF chief says yuan still too low
Steve Carell "resigning" from "The Office" next year
Native American actors see new image in "Twilight"
Method Man pleads guilty to tax evasion
mSpot streams music collections to Android smartphones
Twelve die in Iraq unrest, suicide bombing
No Palestinian state before 2012
Google tweaks China queries, license renewal looms
Russia says U.S. spy charges baseless and improper
|
FIFA chief apologises for World Cup errors
Up to 150 Taliban killed in Afghan battle: report
Protest in Greece as general strike snarls travel
China denies military exercise aimed at U.S.
|
Stephenie Meyer's "Bree Tanner" Sold Over A Million Copies In The U.S.
UN vehicle shot in Afghan capital, driver wounded
Supreme Court Sides With School Against Religious Exclusion
Father Of Missing Oregon Boy Files For Divorce
Iran says nuclear talks to resume with Brazil, Turkey
|
Chicago Cop In Notorious Torture Case Found Guilty Of Perjury
UN vehicle shot in Afghan capital, driver hurt
Witnesses say UN vehicle shot up in Afghan capital
Strikes hit Greece and Spain as ECB deadline looms
|
Are UN Sanctions Against Iran Kicking In?
2 Afghan men convicted for heroin trafficking
No Palestinian state before 2012: Israeli minister
|
Two Florida Police Officers Killed During Traffic Stop
Steve Carell Resigning From "The Office"
U.S. missile strike kills 6 militants in NW Pakistan
Light Rail Systems Lead To Weight Loss
Special Election To Byrd's Senate Seat Will Be In 2012
Japan, Paraguay vie for World Cup quarter-final spot
"Hot Tub Time Machine" Splashes Onto DVD, Blu-ray
China says can guarantee grip on Tibet forever
|
New saliva test 'can detect various cancers'
Philippines' Aquino to probe Arroyo in 'truth commission'
Google switches tack in China before license expires
China denies military exercise aimed at U.S.
Australia's 'Dr Death' guilty of manslaughter
Iraqis seek out private schools to educate children
|
China and Taiwan sign historic trade pact
At least 32 feared dead as Ghana mine collapses
|
Pakistani stocks edge up in dull trade; rupee flat
Japan's Komatsu to hire Chinese managers
Pakistan expects $970 mln foreign inflows to meet IMF target
Foxconn 'to move China Apple production' as costs rise
South Korea c.bankers wanted tightening signal in May
Google alters China course before licence expires
'Prince of Jihad' given five years in Indonesia
China stocks lower on AgBank's low IPO pricing
Oprah tops Forbes celebrity 'power list'
Pakistan c.bank sells 49.50 bln rupees of T-bills
Google tweaks rerouting in fight for China business
|
"CSI" showrunners renew deals
"Dr Death" admits to fear of death in documentary
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights