FRANCE

France remains the biggest supplier of wine

to the UK on-trade and is well-represented

at this year's fair.

Burgundy producer Louis Jadot will be showcasing its new Les Climats Chardonnay Reserve through UK agent Hatch Mansfield (S60). Each year, winemaker Jacques Lardiere is selecting parcels from premier cru and village appellations across the Côte d'Or and blending them to make what the company calls "a greater whole".

The Burgundy brand Blason de Bourgogne will be showing its new Sauvignon St Bris and Aligote wines through agent HwCg (S30). The brand's export director Marc Vachet says: "The new additions demonstrate the breadth of Burgundy and will encourage consumers to experiment with somewhat quirkier, lesser-known wines from the region."

Among the new releases from French specialist Boutinot (C32) are white and rosé versions of the Chat-en-Oeuf red launched last year. Trade and category manager Lee Middleton says: "The label, featuring an illustration of a cat sitting on an egg, along with the strapline 'live nine lives, drink great wine', has appealed to the female buyer - who accounts for 70% or so of all wine purchases in the UK - as well as all the households in the UK who own a cat."

Talking of cats, Bordeaux wine producer Château de l'Orangerie (I30/4) has teamed up with film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to produce Pink Panther Rosé. The new wine is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Another Bordeaux producer, Maison Sichel, will be showing a new white wine from its recently-acquired Château d'Argadens in Côtes de Bordeaux on stand J52.

The Plaimont co-operative, based in the Gers region of south-west France, will be exhibiting its new Heart & Soul St Mont red through HwCg (S30).

Thierry's Wine Services (Q20) will be previewing new wines from northern Rhône appellations that are joining the Skalli family's Caves St-Pierre brand.

The same stand will also have a revamped range from Languedoc co-operative Mont Tauch, and a Grand Reserve range being added to the pan-France Chamarré brand.

The new-look Mont Tauch range includes three line extensions: a Corbières rosé, Côtes de Roussillon Village and Muscat de Rivesaltes.

Palais des Anciens is a range of five premium Rhône wines being handled by Bottle Green (D68). The line-up includes Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Châteauneuf du Pape.

Castel (J30) is launching Cachet, a range of Vin de Pays d'Oc varietals and dual varietals. The Cachet range includes Viognier/Chardonnay, Shiraz/Cabernet and a Pinot

Noir rosé.