Showcasing British wine entrepreneurs in France

The Wine Department of Trade Section of the French Embassy in the UK is to hold a special wine-tasting event entitled British Wine Entrepreneurs in France in central London on Tuesday 22 April 2008. The tasting will feature wine from British-owned and -run vineyards in various regions of France.

The event will be held on Tuesday 22 April in the Cadogan Hotel (on Sloane Street, in central London) from 10am to 5pm, with a buffet lunch available from 12.30pm. British representatives from the participating vineyards will be showcasing their own wines. These exhibitors have followed the dream of relocating to France and are trying their hand at winemaking to significant acclaim.

UK wine importers who would potentially work with private customers, restaurants and other wholesalers – often from small establishments or via the internet – will be coming along to sample the wines.

Domaine Begude (Languedoc)

James Kinglake owns this 26-hectare, family-owned, independent estate in Limoux. It produces Vin de Pays d’Oc and AOC Limoux and its annual volume is approximately 130,000 bottles. He currently exports 98% of his production to the UK, Ireland, the USA, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Le Soula / Richards Walford (Roussillon)

This independent wine-grower, a partnership between Richards Walford & Co Ltd and Gérard Gauby, exports 70% of its wine to the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, Asia, the USA and Canada. This 40-hectare estate produces approximately 400hl of Vins de Pays des Côtes Catalanes each year.

Earl Domaine de Lauroux (South West)

Independent growers and winemakers Karen and Nick Kitchener own these 38 hectares in Côtes de Gascogne. Their annual production of Côtes de Gascogne Appellation d'Origine is 1,400hl and they currently export to the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Japan and Denmark.

Domaine de Mourchon (Rhone Valley)

Walter McKinlay owns this 30-hectare, independent estate growing Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan. It makes a total of 850hl of wine each year and production includes Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret. Having established a market both at home and abroad for the Mourchon brand, he currently exports 80% of his wine to 17 different countries.

SCEA Chateau de Sours (Bordeaux)

Martin Krajewski owns this independent 75-hectare estate, located high up on a limestone and clay plateau. The estate exports 95% of its 4,500hl annual volume to countries ranging from the UK to Taiwan. His production now also includes a sparkling rosé.

SARL Mille Anges (Bordeaux)

Owned by Heather van Ekris, this former convent has been producing fine wines for over 300 years. The 36-hectare estate produces 120,000 bottles a year of Bordeaux AOC and Cadillac AOC. Approximately 95% of the production is currently exported to the USA and several European countries.

SCEA Chateau Méaume (Bordeaux)

This 38-hectare estate in the Libourne area of Bordeaux is owned by independent wine-growers Alan and Sue Johnson-Hill. Their annual harvest is 1,700hl, 80% of which is exported to the UK. Their red wine is a varietal blend of 80% Merlot with 10% each of Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon.

SC Chateau Legonzars (Bordeaux)

Philip Iles manages this independent 45-hectare estate, perched on top of a limestone escarpment overlooking the Garonne river. He exports 60% of his 2,000hl annual volume to the UK. Production also includes a Special Cuvee de Chateau Lezongars.

Maison Bulliats (Beaujolais)

Fred and Helen Lockwood are the exhibiting winegrowers from this 8-hectare estate which produces 390hl (25,000 bottles) of traditional Beaujolais with a real goût de terroir. Around 50% of this is exported to the UK, whilst other markets include France, the Netherlands and California.

Domaine Gourdon (South West)

Jonathan Coulthard is an independent wine-grower who produces AOC Côtes de Duras from this 9-hectare estate. Traditional methods with minimum interference are used in the winery to produce wines of character and expression of the terroir. Around 60% of the 200hl annual volume (or 25,000 bottles) is exported to the UK. Other markets include Norway and Holland.

Domaine du Fontenay, Côte Roannaise (Southern Loire Valley)

This 11-hectare estate is owned by independent wine-grower Simon Hawkins. Wines produced are 100% Gamay and have a lower than average alcohol content – for example their pink sparkling wine is made using the méthode ancestrale and has only 8% alcohol. Annual volume is 50,000 bottles/yr and 20% of this is exported to the USA and the Benelux countries.