FRANCE LAUNCHES A “NATIONAL” WINE

France is planning to launch a national wine brand later this year as a way to get rid of some of the country’s excess wine. “Vignobles de France” will cover vins de pays wines and has already received backing from French wine authorities. What’s the benefits? Authorities hope that not only would the brand help reduce the lakes of unsold wine, but allow French winemakers to compete with foreign brands (think New World).

Vignobles de France would enable winemakers to blend vins de pays (VDP) wines from different regions under one name for the first time, giving the vintners more flexibility in addressing the needs of the market.

Spain also reportedly plans to open a national brand.