Vin de France selection made

Details

Published on Wednesday, 09 March 2011 11:50

Written by Laura Heywood

The amount of wines chosen to represent the new French wine classification Vin de France have increased by 70% from last year.

Anivin de France, the organisation responsible for promoting the new segment, have chosen a total of 46 wines - compared to last year's 27. The final selection includes 20 whites, 11 rosés and 15 reds.

The wines were judged at a blind tasting with an Anglo-German judging panel. The British contingent was led by Anthony Rose, wine columnist from the Independent and the German team led by Rolf Klein, wine journalist from Meininger Verlag.

Vin de France was launched in 2010 and is a new wine classification embracing all wines without regional geographical indication. These wines are allowed to state the grape variety/varieties and the vintage on the front label.

The new segment is giving traditional French brands and companies in all regions of France a platform to promote their products, and also allows them more creativity through permitting blending across the regions.

Joanna Simon, a member of the UK judging panel, said: "I was impressed by both the quality and the variety of wines this year. The results speak for themselves: single varietals, interesting blends and wines from small producers as well as large made it not only into the selection but were among the trophy winners."

The wines selected will be showcased at Prowein (March 27-29) and at Vinexpo where Rose will be presenting a tutored tasting on June 21.