In January 2013 French independent winegrowers took to the Royal Horticultural Halls in central London and displayed some top quality wines for members of the wine trade, media and enthusiasts alike. It was the fourth year in a row the winegrowers had been here and this time there were 71 winegrowers from the independent growing fraternity in France at the event.

Bergerac Wine Tours crew was exited to be present at the event and sample some wonderful nectars from various regions.

Members from the trade and wine & food journalists were able to explore and taste a wide variety of fine wines from many of the world famous growing regions of France. This trade event hosted several high-end wines from the areas known for protected for their geographical location. Visitors had the opportunity to unlock the secrets as to why each wine has that distinctive character, including regional character and history.

The wine regions that were represented at the London event ranged from the protected valleys of the Alsace, Provence, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Beaujolais. There were even representations from Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon, the South West, the Loire Valley, and the Rhône Valley, where any one who is any one in the wine trade was able to sample the unique character of wine grown in these regions, which is especially important for France wine tours and industry in general.

Alex & Bruno at the 2013 London Event

The trade show combined a selection of fine wines that were both diverse and comprehensive with an added personal touch thrown in with every taste. The winegrowers in the region have their own special methods (many of which are secret) of producing that unique taste and sometimes mixing and vinification of the world’s most celebrated region.

All independent wine growers are very much involved in each stage of the process that takes the grapes from the vine to the glass on our dinner tables. The labels are signed with the winegrower’s name and they may be directly involved in the advertising, commercialization and selling processes as well.

We had the wonderful opportunity to meet up with one inspirational winemaker;  Bruno Fauconnier from Chateau la Tilleraie.

The 71 winegrowers that attended the event have made their wines with a passion, and nurtured in such a way as to be respecting nature and the work ethic. During the event there were four distinct sections where members of the media, wine experts, wine writers and distributors were able to browse through a relaxed moment area, a passionate moment area, a rose and a sparkling moment area.

Each section had a variety of different wines that were suited to that particular moment where one would prefer a certain type of wine.

Alex