1 - France

Question 1

What was the impact on vineyard area of the EU vine pull scheme between 1970 and early 2010s?

Answer 1

Total vineyard area (including vines for table grapes and brandy) down by 1/3

Question 2

How are almost all vineyards in France planted?

Answer 2

High density with trellising - often with replacement cane Guyot and VSP

Question 3

As of 2017, what % of France’s vineyards are organic?

Answer 3

10%

Question 4

What are the top 10 planted grape varieties in France?

Answer 4

1. Merlot
2. Ugni Blanc (for brandy)
3. Grenache Noir
4. Syrah
5. Chardonnay
6. Cab Sav
7. Cab F
8. Carignan
9. Pinot Noir
10. Sauvignon B

Question 5

Where is enrichment usually used and why has it been on the declined?

Answer 5

Cooler regions - warmer temperatures and better canopy management

Question 6

Give the key dates in the history of the INAO

Answer 6

Founded - 1935
Oversaw creation of AOC - Early-mid c20th
Creation of IGP - 2009
Varietal labelling - 2009

Question 7

The French system of AOC incorporates which elements of winemaking

Answer 7

1. Geographic Boundaries
2. Methods of Production (grape varieties, planting density, training systems, max yields, min alcohol, maturation length, earliest sale date)

Question 8

What important changes to labelling law occured around 2009 (3)

Answer 8

1. Creation of IGP
2. Varietal Labelling
3. Non-GI wines can be labelled with variety and vintage

Question 9

What is the average vineyard holding in France? How does it compare to other countries?

Answer 9

10.5ha - much larger than Italy or Spain

Question 10

What % of production do co-ops account for?

Answer 10

40%

Question 11

Outline trends in French per capita wine consumption

Answer 11

Steep and long term decline - consumption 1/2 of level 100 years ago

Question 12

What size/type of companies account for the largest % of wine sales?

Answer 12

Small and med size local or via private labels - high level of fragmentation - 75%

Question 13

Name the three largest sellers of wine (by volume) in France

Answer 13

Castel Frères (12%)
Carrefour France
ITM Enterprises

Question 14

Describe the levels of exports and import to and from France

Answer 14

Exports - significant volume (although lower than Italy or Spain), largest exporter by value (50% higher than Italy, 300% higher than Spain)

Imports - large importer of cheap wine especially from Spain