Wine Law and Regulations and Business

Question 1

Rules surrounding Irrigation:

Answer 1

The general prohibition of irrigation for AOC wines in France has been amended so that AOCs may apply for permission to irrigate under strict conditions.

• Proof of water stress to vines is required,
• no irrigation is permitted after véraison,
• in no circumstances can irrigation be used to exceed the maximum yield allowed by individual AOCs

Question 2

Whilst the North and the South are separated, many Negociants work primarily in the north but operate across the entire region.

Give some examples of some negociants who operate across both the north and the south

Answer 2

Guigal, Jaboulet and Chapoutier

Question 3

selling 40% of Crozes-Hermitage AOC wines, the Cave de tain in Tain;’Hermitage is an important Co-operative in the North.

give an example of a Co-op that is large in the South

Answer 3

Cellier des Princes, based in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Question 4

two thirds of Rhone wines by volume are sold within France.

Where does this wine go?

Answer 4

supermarkets (32 per cent),
specialist wine retail and hospitality (29 per cent)
discounters (6 per cent)

Question 5

with exports at 33% of all Rhone wines by volume, what three countries are buying the most?

Answer 5

USA, UK and Belgium.

Question 6

a small en primeur system exists in some top Rhone Appellations.

What appellations would attract this sort of system?

Answer 6

Cote-Rotie
Hermitage
Chateauneuf-du-Pape