Again back at you with the best of wines news of France. By the way for the non Romans LXVII is no 67, The wines of France are just super simply awesome and a great tradition. Often imitated, some time equaled ,but never surpass! Therefore, let me tell you some news shall we. Hope you enjoy it as I.
Visits to French wine regions continue to increase. At a time when wine consumption is declining and the American and Chinese markets are slowing down, winemakers are multiplying initiatives to attract tourists. On Friday, May 23, at 18h, the opening of the pop-up bar installed in the vineyards of Château Lalande-Labatut, at the gateway to Entre-deux-Mers, in Gironde According to the results of a study published in February by Atout France, France’s tourism development agency, the number of visitors to vineyards in France has increased by 20% in five years, reaching 12 million in 2023. The growth of foreign customers, led by the British, Belgians and Americans, is particularly marked, with a jump of 29%, while the French show less strong growth (+14%).
In July 2015, the Coteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne or the Hillsides, Houses and Cellars of Champagne entered the big league by joining the UNESCO World Heritage. And to celebrate this properly, the Champagne region has put together a great list of events not to be missed this year 2025. June 22: The March of Reconciliations and the Grande Traversée du PNR between Aÿ-Champagne and Rilly-La-Montagne: sport, vines and bubbles! July 14: The White Evening in Épernay, the perfect opportunity to get out your best outfit. July 19: The Flâneries musicales picnic concert in Reims, a chilled atmosphere to enjoy the sunset to the sounds of classical music! July 26 and 27: The Champagne Route in celebration in Les Riceys, to discover the estates and celebrate with the winemakers. October 18 and 19: The Champagne & Vous Festival in Château-Thierry, a total immersion in the world of bubbles. November 7: A charity dinner in Reims, for a cool time while showing solidarity. December 12 to 14: The famous Habits de Lumières in Épernay, the sparkling end-of-year party.
At the end of 2024, the sublime Nicolas Ruinart Pavilion opened its doors on the Saint-Nicaise hill in Reims. A small architectural gem that skillfully blends champagne, art and nature. At 4 rue des Crayères, a stone’s throw from Reims city center, Ruinart offers a timeless escape. In 2025, the oldest champagne house was even ranked among the 100 most beautiful places in the world by Time magazine. Inside, it houses a champagne bar and a boutique. A large glass facade opens onto the main courtyard and offers an impressive feeling of transparency. The Ruinart Pavilion park is home to around twenty sculptures and art installations created especially for the estate. Beneath the estate, the Ruinart cellars extend over 8 km of galleries dug into the chalk, reaching up to 38 meters deep. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these cellars offer ideal conditions for aging the exceptional vintages of Maison Ruinart. And good news: access to the park and the pavilion is free! The official Maison Ruinart : https://www.ruinart.com/en-gb/home
For the sixth consecutive year, the Beaujolais vineyards are opening up to everyone for a weekend, from June 13th to 15th,2025 with the Bienvenue en Beaujonomie festival. The festival made in Beaujolais will once again give visitors the opportunity to discover the different facets of this vineyard, both on the plate and in the glass. For the first time this year, the festival is moving to Paris. Around fifteen Parisian restaurants – belonging to the Bistrots Beaujolais network – will celebrate Beaujonomie on the same dates. For more information the official Festival Bienvenu en Beaujonomie : https://www.bienvenue-en-beaujonomie.fr/en/LaBeaujonomie
Vign’Art, the contemporary art and land art festival returns to Champagne for its sixth edition. From May 16 to September 21, 2025, numerous villages and wine estates will host artistic installations and creations inspired by the vines and the surrounding nature. The official Vign’Art : https://www.vignart.fr/presentation/
Airport duty-free stores offer lower prices than those found in wine cellars or supermarkets, with a discount of around 20%. Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport , One of the most prestigious airport wine cellars in the world is located within Terminal 2E, Gate K. With over a million bottles sold each year, the location is primarily attractive for its selection of high-end wines, where wealthy wine lovers who aren’t lucky enough to be allocated to the most prestigious French estates can purchase fine wines at tax-free prices.
More than ever, Margaux stands out in a diverse 2024 vintage. Subtlety, elegance, refinement… These are all terms often used to describe the wines of Margaux, one of the most famous vineyards in the world. Amongt many my favorites : Château Durfort-Vivens: “A subtle sappy touch reminiscent of crushed rosemary stems.” Château Margaux: “A delicate sap brings crystalline freshness.” Château Palmer: “Elegance itself, without artifice or ostentation.” Château Cantenac Brown: “An absolutely charming, silky, and soft texture.” Château Lascombes: “Like a caress of infinite softness.” Château Brane-Cantenac: “A sensation of growing power.”
The 7 wine serving mistakes we make without realizing it: Overfilling the glass, Underfilling the glass, The smell of dust in the glasses, The wrong temperature (especially for red wines), The danger of a wet hand, Not having a bimetallic strip, Mixing two wines
Wine consumption continues to decline in France. According to figures from panelist Circana, revealed on June 4 by RTL radio, sales in supermarkets fell by 4.2% year-on-year, representing a decrease of 35 million bottles. According to various sources, approximately 80% of wine volumes are sold in supermarkets and hypermarkets in France. In detail, this decline mainly concerns red (-5.1%) and rosé (-6%), even though these two colors remain the best-selling, with 325 million and 280 million bottles respectively. White, with 185 million bottles sold year-on-year, is increasing in volume (+0.6%) and value (+2%). Better still, if we isolate French white wines bearing a geographical indication (AOP or IGP), the increase in the number of bottles sold is estimated between 3.6 and 6.8%, according to Circana. Wine consumption is declining in France, but also globally. It is even at its lowest level since 1961, as revealed last April by the International Wine Organization. In a report based on official figures from consumer states, the OIV highlighted a decrease in global wine purchases of around 3.3% in 2024 compared to 2023. The origins of this decline observed since 2018, according to the OIV, are to be found in the decline in sales in China, despite a post-Covid rebound in 2021. Wine production, too, is at its lowest level in over 60 years. In France , especially in Bordeaux and Languedoc , vine uprooting campaigns have been carried out in recent months, a consequence of this reduced consumption and the difficulties winegrowers have had in adapting to climate change.
What wine to drink with fish? White wine has often had the advantage when it comes to accompanying fish. However, some red wines can perfectly accompany certain seafood. With langoustines: a white from Burgundy or a white from Loire-Centre. With lobster: a red from Champagne or a red from Anjou-Saumur. With oysters: a white from Anjou-Saumur or a white from Burgundy. With clams: a white from Loire-Pays Nantais or a white from Provence. And With scallops: a white from Burgundy or white from Loire-Pays Nantais.
There you go folks, another wine episode of my belle France! The wines news from France that is, superbe, sublime, wonderful, gorgeous, enjoy without moderation but accompanying a meal, family table just perfect. See you in the vineyards of my belle France, Again, hope you enjoy the post as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
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