Vin de France has "come of age"

Published: 21 February, 2012

Vin de France has "come of age" this year, after 60% more wines were picked by a team of international judges to respresent the category.

The relatively young category allows French producers to blend across regions and label their wines under the Vin de France label.

Anivin, the body which promotes the category, held a tasting in Paris earlier this month to decide the wines representing the International Best Value Vin de France Selection Tasting, at which 73 were chosen.

The winning wines, selected blind from 242 entries, were categorised into 12 gold medals, 32 silver and 29 bronze.

A judging panel, made up of 34 international wine experts, decided that all medal-winning wines were in the "mid to premium" range of wines and represent "excellent value for money".

Director of Anivin de France, Valerie Pajotin, said the panel featured judges from eight different countries, which gave "a truly international stamp of authority to this year's best value Vin de France selection".

Ken Mackay MW (Waitrose), said: "It was very interesting taking part in the Vin de France judging and a great opportunity to review the current quality of wines being marketed under this exciting, but relatively young category of French wines.

Anthony Rose, head of the UK judging panel, said: "Vin de France comes of age. France's wine producers have taken on board the message that cross-regional blending and the use of grape variety and vintage on the label is their best shot at marketing brand France, and within it their wines, overseas."

Dominique Vrigneau added: "The selection comforted me that France can compete very successfully at the business end of the market."

The wines will be displayed at trade fairs Prowein in March and SIAL Shanghai in May.

Gold medallists included La Belle Angèle Merlot (Badet Clément), Jean Berteau Chardonnay (La Compagnie Rhodanienne, Groupe Taillan), and Le Secret des Etoiles Pinot Noir (Direct Wines).

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