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 President Hollande used the speech to demonstrate that he and the French government understood the importance of wine towards the cultural heritage and economy of France. The government has already set up on Thursday a fund to encourage wine tourism in France. He told the audience that he was aware that a third of foreign tourists chose to visit France primarily because of its food and wine heritage, according to the Report in Decanter
But he lashed out against attempts to change the law on promoting alcoholic drinks while promising other measures to support the sector, France's second-biggest source of exports. Hollande retorted in his speech that ‘balance’ must be found between the wine trade and those warning against the dangers of alcohol abuse.The Parliamentary committee had approved the amendment to the controversial 1989 Evin Law, reported in this edition by delWine. But he conceded that there could be clarification on certain points. Critics claim that some media houses have been penalised for naming alcoholic drinks because of the law.
VinExpo was started in 1981 as a biennial Wine Show and is in its 18th edition that is opening its gates from June 14-18 to 45-50,000 international wine and spirits professionals from 120 countries including India, with 2,350 exhibitors from 42 countries tasting their beverages. The U.S. wine industry is showcasing wines from Napa Valley Vintners Association in collaboration with the Wine Institute and has been given a prominent place as the Country of Honour.
The California contingent has been given a premier spot in the center of the exhibition floor. There are over two dozen vintners at Vinexpo Bordeaux, June 14-18, to pour their wines, lead seminars and conduct business with show attendees. This is the first time in the wine region’s history that it will have its own free-standing pavilion at the global wine trade fair.
Among many firsts, the Show has added wine accessories this year. Explaining the decision, Xavier de Eizaguire, President of VinExpo stated, ‘Consumers are increasingly interested in wine. Those who want to drink it better want to serve it better. In France, there is still a long way to go. Still too often you'll find restaurants with low quality wines by the glass, whereas that's not the case in Italy or Spain. In fact, we have even opened Vinexpo up to accessories for the first time.’
France is the world's largest wine producer and the sector employs 500,000 people. But long-established old world producers have been facing stiff competition from the New World producers. There are also several challenges due to the changing drinking habits.
In the meanwhile, Marisol Touraine, Minister for social affairs, health and women’s rights has reportedly also taken a hard stand on advertising. She said in Paris: “There’s a form of denial over this. In my entire political career, I’ve never known such passion over a subject. There will be a debate about wine in parliament at 4 am and you’d think all the MPs will be at home asleep, but no, they turn up. It’s a very French debate.” She reportedly - said there was a very French form of denial over the hazards of alcohol, which is believed to cause an estimated 50,000 premature deaths a year in France.
She was also sceptical about the health benefits of wine and told journalists from the Anglo-American Press Association in Paris, I’m French, I like to drink a glass of wine … but the wine and alcohol lobby in France is powerful and has got into people’s heads that wine is good for the health, which remains to be proven.”
She also took a stand against smoking that was causing harm to the French nationals’ health. Touraine also said the number of French women who smoke – and particularly those who continue to do so in the last three months of pregnancy – as well as the number of young and poor who light up, was worrying.
The French government is currently battling attempts to water down the 1991 Evin’s law that imposed restrictions on alcohol advertising. Touraine said the new challenge was “disguised advertising”, citing a 2013 ruling that fined Paris Match for an article on the Hollywood actor Scarlett Johansson’s deal with a celebrated French champagne house. DelWine is on record saying that the ‘disguised advertising’ known as ‘surrogate advertising’ would not be permitted in France and would draw heavy fines.
French Law against Wine Advertising may be Amended |