Côtes du Rhône still number one

Côtes du Rhône sales have increased by 10.79% in value and 11.7% in volume between April 2006 and April 2007, maintaining the region’s position as the number one AOC in the UK off-trade.

[ClickPress, Mon Jul 30 2007] Côtes du Rhône sales have increased by 10.79% in value and 11.7% in volume between April 2006 and April 2007, maintaining the region’s position as the number one AOC in the UK off-trade*.

This trend is confirmed by French Customs figures, which show an 11% increase in volume for Côtes du Rhône wines in February 2007 compared with February 2006.

Figures also show that France’s position in the UK wine market generally is strengthening, with an increase in sales of 4.58% in value and 1.4% in volume*.

One of the key reasons for Côtes du Rhône’s continued growth is the region’s on-going commitment to investing in the UK market through a fully integrated marketing campaign. This three-tier campaign consists of: a trade public relations and advertising programme, including the on-going Think Red, Think Côtes du Rhône Wines executions; consumer public relations and advertising, including a three year radio plan; and finally, and at the core of this growth, an annual off-trade promotional programme.

This highly successful promotional campaign supports the ongoing efforts of the region’s exporters and the resulting uplift in volume of Rhône wines is underlined by the fact that two of the top five French brands – French Connection and La Chasse du Pape – are from Côtes du Rhône**.

* Source: ACNielsen, April 2007
* Source: ACNielsen

- ends -

For further information please contact: Contact in the region:

Kirsty Brinsley, Sopexa (UK) Florence Boubée-Legrand, Inter-Rhône
T: 020 7312 3648 T: 00 33 4 90 27 24 12
F: 020 7312 3600 F: 00 33 4 90 27 24 13
E: kirsty.brinsley@sopexa.com E : FlorenceB@inter-rhone.com


Notes to editors:

UK off-trade’s top selling French brands: 2 of the top 5 French brands are Côtes du Rhône (Source: ACNielsen)

Brand Supplier Sales value
2005/6 (£ 000’s) % sales change on 2005
1- JP Chenet Les Grands Chais 42,308 + 25%
2- Piat d’Or Percy Fox 34,336 - 8%
3- French Connection Bottle Green 15,778 + 50%
4- La Chasse du Pape Guy Anderson 12,653 + 15%
5- Calvet Guy Anderson 11,382 + 25%


 Around 90% of all wines produced in the Rhône region are red.
 The Rhône Valley is located in the south-east part of France, and the region is divided into Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône.
 In the UK Rhône wines have seen a growth of +17% in terms of volume to January 2006 and the region has become - for the first time in its history - the number one AOC in the UK off-trade. (Source: AC Nielsen MAT Jan 2006.)
 Rhône is the second largest AOC wine region in France, in both surface area and production, with 78,900 ha (Côtes du Rhône makes up 61,000 ha).
 Syrah is the only grape variety used for producing red wines in Northern Rhône, whereas Grenache is the most common grape variety used for red wines in Southern Rhône, where it can be blended with up to 13 other grape varieties.
 Syrah-based wines are characteristically powerful and hearty with a hint of freshly ground black pepper. These wines are excellent served with peppery steaks, stews and rich cheeses.
 Wines mainly produced from the Grenache grape are generally gutsy, ripe and boast flavours of red berries. These wines go well with rich meat stews and garlic infused roast vegetables.



Think Red, Think Côtes du Rhône Wines

Bookmark this release: Del.icio.us - Digg - Furl - Blinklist - Reddit