Foires aux Vins 2010

It’s September and that means, among other things, that supermarkets all over France have set up their foires aux vins displays.

At the outset, the foires aux vins were an obvious marketing ploy for supermarkets to unload unsold wine stock at low prices. However the foires have changed over time. One of the most notable changes is price: some of the loss-leader wines are indeed marked down, but for many others the sale price differs little from the normal price. This year is different. YOUPIE ! (yippie)

With sales generally down for wines at “normal” prices, real bargains are more numerous at this year’s foires aux vins. Big buyers apparently purchased large stocks of certain vintages several years ago, hoping to rake in profits in the future. The financial crisis has forced them to change their game plan. For example, as last week’s Le Monde Magazine reported, some 2005 Bordeaux (on the market in 2006) are currently being sold below their initial 2006 market price, especially at this year’s (fabulous) foires aux vins.

Another lucky break for wine lovers/bargain hunters concerns ’06, ’07 and ’08 vintages that are often considered as less stunning than the 2005s.

Kick snobbery out the door! Individual taste is what matters. You can find deals in France right now on very good and/or excellent, very diverse wines from Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Côtes-du-Rhône, Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon, the Loire…reds, whites, rosés, even some bubblies and ciders.

To quote Arthur Vassincourt: “Ne ratez pas le coche !”
Don’t miss the boat…which for some means buying a plane ticket for France. Value is so very relative...

Reds featured in photo:

MOULIN-à-VENT: Château de Chénas 2009, Appellation Moulin-à-Vent Contrôlée
http://www.cavedechenas.com/
Gamay
Grapes are hand harvested
13% vol.

BROUILLY: Hospices de Belleville 2009 Thévenot, Appellation Brouilly Contrôlée
www.beaujolais-wines.com/
Gamay
13% vol.

TOURAINE: Domaine des Clémendières 2009 Appellation Touraine Protégée
http://www.vinsdeloire.fr/
Gamay
13% vol.

FITOU: Domaine Comerade 2007, Cascastel, Appellation Fitou Contrôlée
http://www.cru-fitou.com/
Carignan, grenache, syrah
Vendanges manuelles (hand harvested)
13.5% vol.

COSTIERES DE NIMES: Les Grandes Cabanes 2008 , Château Lamargue, Appellation Costières de Nîmes Contrôlée
Featured on various wine web sites
Syrah
14% vol.