The new edition of Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône that took place from the 1st to the 6th March confirmed French and International professionals’ interest in the Rhône region (a total of 1500 visitors and over 8000 cumulated visits to the various shows). An increase in numbers and in the diversity of international visitors highlights that this event has reached a certain maturity. International visitors represented between 50 and 60% of total visitors at the various tastings. The attractiveness of Rhône Valley wines is explained by Christian Paly, Inter Rhône’s President: “though the quality of our recent vintages, our typicity and a taste that fits in with consumers’ expectations today. The professionalism of this year’s Découvertes was hailed unanimously by both the press and the visitors.”

Video of Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône

Rhône Valley wines will be showcased at the Inter Rhône stand: F40/1A.

Our free-access tasting area and our sommeliers will offer visitors the opportunity to taste these wines. Three companies will be showcasing: Domaine de Mourchon, Ferraton Père & Fils and Pierre-Henri Morel.

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The Rhône Valley will be represented by 25 exhibitors (private caves, coopératives and négociants) and through the Inter Rhône area at stand AB49-1. Each day, free-access and tutored tastings will be available at the inter-professional stand.

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With exceptional vintages year after year and well-orchestrated promotions throughout the world, the AOC wines from the Rhône Valley continue their progress in volume and value. On the markets, the trends are positive.

In France: after progress in 08 and 09 with the multiples (+6% over the two years), the increase in sales was confirmed in 2010 with +1.5% in vol and +3.5% in value for all AOCs in red, rosé and white from the Rhône Valley.

Internationally, renewed growth kicked off at the end of 2009 and was confirmed in 2010 with +13% in volume. The progress was due mostly to markets considered priority markets by the Rhône Valley: UK (+22%), USA (+22%), Canada (+10%) and Belgium (+12%) but also Asian markets with Japan (+53%) and China (+85%). It is worth noting that Inter Rhône developed dynamic promotional campaigns on these growing markets (both on the traditional and the emerging Rhône markets).

Regarding the Irish market, wines from Côtes du Rhône remain the second red French AOC with 28% of French red market share in 2010 (in total nearly 9000hl exported). This position is reinforced by the efficient synergy of the various promotions in Irish outlets. The Irish market has good potential for Côtes du Rhône wines.