Unfortunately, the 16 pages of this plan reflect a lack of funds (French coffers being empty) aswell as a lack of new ideas especially in the economic "reforms" proposed - recycled from European Union reforms applicable since December last year.
Concerning the profession's governing bodies, there is however a desire to simplify communication and coordination between the various regional wine councils, the inter-professional marketing boards and Paris. The question is how to reduce numbers and / or merge certain organisations into "federations" in an efficient, coherent manner.
A special committee will be in charge of the previously named "vins de pays", which now come under the European Union product catagory IGP (protected geographical indication).
The 27 EU members have adopted certain common economic reforms which will be applicable from next August : one of the consequences will be more freedom for producers of ex-table wines whose yields will no longer be limited and who will be authorized to mention the vintage and grape varietal on their labels. These details, helpful for the consumer and therefore useful marketing aids, were exclusive to AOC wines up until now.
It is therefore regretable that not one euro-cent more than the 171 million euros budget for the next campaign which Paris will manage this year instead of Brussels has been allocated for promotion, marketing and communication!
One questions the impact of such a plan which appears more preoccupied with setting up work groups than ensuring a stability in product sales.
author C.Compadre
30th May 2008
Maxine Colas..
doc@sudouest.com