14 March 2006

NEVER MIND THE RUGBY, THE WINE'S A WINNER!

While England's performance on the rugby pitch may leave something to be desired, there is one traditionally French activity where we are beating them at their own game – wine making.

According to wine and travel web site, winedrive.com, expatriate Brits look set once again to pick up a host of awards at tasting salons around France. Betty-Ann Cundall, who runs Château des Chaberts in Provence, has already received a gold medal at the Paris wine fair for her Rosé. A consistent winner since 1974, her wines picked up 11 awards in 2005 and with accolades in the latest edition of Guide Hachette des Vins, looks set for another winning year.

At Domaine du Merchien, owners David and Sarah Meakin's Coteaux du Quercy is listed alongside the top 100 wines in the World in the Tom Stevenson Wine Report 2005,  as well as being noted as the 'best value for money in the South West of France'.

They have been taking awards and accolades since they came to France 12 years ago including first, second and third at ‘Wines Sud West, Castelsarrasin'. Said David Meakin: “Making wine is not easy to say the least, but thanks to Sarah's excellent taste, we have been able to make good Quercy wines year on year."

There are several English owners among more than 100 French vineyards listed by winedrive.com, three quarters of which are holders of top awards and accolades. But before more expats rush to buy vineyards, success does not come without problems. The Meakins have had to contend with the local Sanglier, or wild boar, digging up newly planted young vines.

Meanwhile, other English growers are reporting that the locals can sometimes be poor losers. Commented winedrive.com's Maurice Carroll: "I have spoken to owners who report that as soon as they see success after years of hard work, they are hit by restrictions from the local wine growing governing bodies.

"Some are suddenly told that their vines have too much foliage or it is too close to the ground. There are even reports that officials are demanding the prize winning growers rip out their 30 year old vines and replace them with new. This seems particularly bizarre when other growers put high value on old, established vines and can charge a premium for the superior wine they produce."

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Further Information From:
Maurice Carroll, WineDrive France
maurice.carroll@winedrive.com
Tel: +33 (0) 5 49 29 47 05