Bourgogne Board Press Kit 2015 Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction November 2015

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Cover page photo credit: © BIVB / Michel JOLY

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The 2015 Bourgogne vintage: Simply sublime! ...... P. 3

2015: A year of extraordinary weather conditions ...... P. 4

The 2014 Bourgogne vintage: All the makings of a great year ...... P. 8

Bourgogne Wine Sales: Prices buoyant, awaiting the return of greater Volumes ...... P.10 Advance trade transactions: Sales focused on the 2014 vintage ...... P. 10 Export: Tending towards recovery in the main markets ...... P. 11 France: Bourgogne wines retain strong presence on traditional circuits ...... P. 18

Grands Jours de Bourgogne, 21 to 25 March 2016 The essential Bourgogne wines showcase in the heart of each terroir ...... P. 21

Professional e-learning on Bourgogne wines, now available to all! ...... P. 25

Exploring and tasting with the guide, En Route Vers les Bourgognes ...... P. 28

Annexes: Groupement des Jeunes Professionnels de la Vigne : 2015 Trophy

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The 2015 Bourgogne vintage Simply sublime!

9 November 2015

The grapes harvested in the Bourgogne wine region in 2015 were simply perfect. They were in tip‐top health, and at optimal ripeness, a double whammy that will make this year one to remember. The wines have wonderful balance, and the vintage is characterized by abundant aromatic depth. The upbeat mood felt across the region during harvesting has been transformed into pure delight as vinification progressed and the first tastings

©Photo credit: BIVB / IBANEZ A. revealed the promise of the future wines. The overall quality and exceptional concentration observed from the north of the region to the south suggest this may well go down as a legendary vintage.

Flowering started in early June, with veraison occurring in mid‐July and the first grapes picked in late August, meaning everything went at quite a lick as the hot, dry weather dictated the tempo. Winemakers managed to adapt to this sustained pace and unusual conditions, bringing in some magnificent fruit which promises a great vintage. This idyllic picture is, however, tempered by the relatively low volumes of red harvested which, at times, fell below expectations.

White wines The white wines are already very expressive, with lovely notes of summer fruits, and great aromatic purity, balanced by an impressive crispness and richness in the mouth. This harmony will please those who don’t want to wait too long before uncorking, but will undoubtedly improve with ageing.

Red wines These are showing some intense, bright colors. The wines are bursting with aromas of incomparable complexity, with notes of red berries, and are ripe and full‐flavored. The tannins are silky and rounded, a reflection of perfect maturity, giving the wines balance and elegance. 2015 promises to be an outstanding vintage that is already delicious, but which will reveal its full splendor in years to come.

Crémant de Bourgogne In order to preserve a good balance of acidity and fruit, the harvests, which have to be carried out by hand, began at the end of August. The yields of and Aligoté were in line with the norm, but were more uneven for the and . The vintage is characterized by very aromatic, intense and complex base wines.

This press release only offers a general snapshot. Because each wine and each winemaker is unique, wines need to be tasted individually before bein characterized.

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2015: A year of extraordinary weather conditions

9 November 2015

No one could have predicted the outstanding weather seen in 2015. High temperatures, low rainfall, and exceptional sunshine hours gave the plants a lot to cope with. But the vines of Bourgogne once again showed their ability to adapt and optimize the resources available.

What heat!

2015 began the same way 2014 ended: Winter took a long time set in, and January was notable for its mild weather. The first cold snap came in February, with average temperatures lower than seasonal norms, and as low as ‐ 1°C in the Yonne. This “fast‐track” winter soon gave way to springtime, with the thermometer climbing above seasonal averages. The tone had been set. The months to come followed the same pattern, with the mercury rising steadily until the end of August, accompanied by lots of sun. Besides January and September, sunshine hours were ahead of seasonal averages, especially in April, June and July. Over the first nine months of the year, sunshine hours were 13% up on average. It was so hot that records were broken: In Mâcon, on 4 July, 39.2°C was attained, beating the previous July record of 38.6°C set in 1983. And on 7 August, the temperature in Mâcon tipped 39.1°C, outstripping the prior record for that month of 37.3°C, set in 1949. The same day, Dijon touched 37.5°C, beating the previous record of 37.4°C set in 1998. Between March and August, the number of days when the temperature exceeded 30°C was double the norm in the Saône‐et‐Loire and Côte‐d’Or departments. The situation was less extreme in the Yonne, where averages in March and May were slightly below norms (‐ 0.5 and ‐ 0.3 °C). Nonetheless, between March and August in that department, days when the mercury topped 30°C were 1.5 times more frequent than the average.

Across the Bourgogne region, during the three months of summer, the variations on normal temperatures were 1.2°C up in June, 2.5°C up in July, and 1.2°C in August. The Côte‐d’Or department saw the widest variation on the norm.

This trend was reversed in September, which was cool with temperatures barely reaching seasonal averages in Saône‐et‐Loire, and below normal in the Yonne and the Côte‐d’Or.

Between January and September, average temperatures overall were ultimately 0.2°C above the norm in the Yonne, and 1°C higher in the Côte‐d’Or and Saône‐et‐Loire.

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Rain was scarce, but fell at the right time

This hot and sunny weather was accompanied by a shortfall in rain, at times quite marked. All winemakers would agree that 2015 will be remembered as a particularly dry year, but local rainfall levels varied considerably from one area to another. The Côte‐d’Or and the Saône‐et‐Loire both recorded a shortfall of almost 20% on average rainfall between January and September. January was in‐line with averages in both departments, as was April in the Côte‐d’Or, whereas August had above‐average rainfall. In the Saône‐et‐Loire, it wasn’t until September that any significant rain fell, with totals for the month significantly above average (up 39% over norms). The Yonne was the exception over the first nine months of 2015, with only 2.5% less rain than the norm. January, April and August all saw above‐average precipitation: Up 16%, 64% and 66% respectively. In August, the excess came mainly from the storms that occurred on the night of 31 August, which were accompanied by hail in certain sectors. This had an impact on volumes harvested in the affected appellations and Climats, but did not alter the quality. The main feature of the year was the drought in July, with rain shortfalls of between 75% and 90% depending on the department. Its effects were accentuated by the lack of rain in June, particularly in the Saône‐et‐Loire.

The vine, an exceptionally resilient plant

These weather conditions were not without consequences. The sunny, mild spring – when the rain shortfall was not yet being felt – was favorable for the rapid resumption of growth. Bud‐burst and flowering took place in a matter of days, and quite early in the season.

Fortunately, vines can seek out water deep underground thanks to their extensive root system. But concerns began to grow during the summer, when high temperatures, drought and long sunshine hours all combined. This period is key in the growth cycle of the vine. The leaves are working flat‐out to swell and ripen the grapes through photosynthesis. At the end of July, the hydric stress for the plants was such that, in places, the vines went into survival mode and suspended their activity, which can then result in the ripening process coming to a halt. But the vine is a particularly resilient plant, and some much‐ needed rain fell at just the right moment, kick‐starting the cycle again. This renewed vigor led to fruit of exceptional quality. But the early pace set from the start of the year continued, and the first snip of the secateurs took place at the end of August.

These unusual conditions kept diseases and destructive bugs at bay, meaning the fruit was in excellent health upon picking. The harvests unfolded over several weeks across the region, and by the end of September, the 2015 vintage was in, while the vine leaves still had a nice green color.

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Average monthly temperatures ‐ Bourgogne region 2015 Variation on norms by department

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Average monthly precipitation ‐ Bourgogne region 2015 Variation on norms by department

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Average sunshine hours – Bourgogne region 2015 Variation on norms by department

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The 2014 Bourgogne vintage All the makings of a great year

Beaune, 15 November 2015

The 2014 vintage has confirmed its early promise: An excellent year, with good volumes, although not enough to fully make up for the low stocks. After another unusual year in terms of weather, September 2014 lived up to its reputation for “making the wine”. The grapes produced nicely balanced wines with intense colors. The 1.58 million hectoliters harvested underlined the size of the yield, despite some disparities in certain areas, in particular due to episodes of hail that had a significant impact in plots around Lugny in the Mâconnais, and on the Côte de Beaune.

After the dormant winter period, the vines returned to life in clement, warm and dry conditions. The start of the growing cycle gave an early indication of the potential harvest, despite some incidence of shatter, when the flowers fail to form fruit. At the end of June, the weather changed, becoming cool and damp, but ripening continued nonetheless. The return of the sun and a northerly wind – the signature of September in the Bourgogne wine region – led to ideal conditions for the vines to reach full maturity. Picking began in mid‐September in a serene and sunny atmosphere, and vinification unfolded without problem. The wines, which are mostly now in the bottle, confirm that 2014 in the Bourgogne wine region is an excellent vintage.

White wines

Chablisien and Auxerrois The Chablis Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines are particularly harmonious, intense and aromatic. Their minerality underlines a very pleasant finish, and they have exceptional ageing potential. The other white wines from the later‐ripening plots are temptingly smooth, with a refreshing touch of acidity. On the nose, they reveal some very attractive aromas of citrus and white‐fleshed fruits. Mâconnais The Mâcon region generally produced some charming, generous wines, with good breadth. Their fruity and floral notes open onto a full‐ flavored mouthful.

Côte Chalonnaise These very aromatic, moreish wines exhibit very good balance and excellent structure, with a nice crispness and tension. This suggests they will be well adapted for ageing. © Photo credit: BIVB / ARMELLEPHOTOGRAPHE.COM

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Côte de Beaune These quality wines have a very expressive nose, dominated by lemony and floral notes, accompanied by aromas of almond and dried fruits. In the mouth, they are already full and round. They still seem rather tightly wrapped, but which should open over time, and they have true ageing potential.

Red wines

Auxerrois Subtle notes of red berries with a touch of spice can be found in these wines, which are soft and fleshy in the mouth. The smooth tannins make these very pleasant wines, with plenty of surprises to discover

Côte Chalonnaise With some particularly fruity aromas, these wines have lovely body, with remarkable sustain in the mouth, thanks to a very tight tannic structure. Their taut finish is very pleasant, and they promise to evolve wonderfully over the years ahead.

Côte de Beaune These wines have a deep red color. They are very expressive, with intense aromas of red berries and great finesse. In the mouth, the silky tannic framework underlines their opulence and roundedness. These wines could easily be kept for good many years.

Côte de Nuits The Côte de Nuits produced a lovely vintage, with outstanding quality across the board. From an aromatic and gustatory point of view, the wines are charming and perfectly balanced. Their soft, silky tannins underscore some full‐flavored material, and they have undeniable ageing potential.

© Photo credit: BIVB / IBANEZ A.

This press release only offers a general snapshot. Because each wine and each winemaker is unique, wines need to be tasted individually before bein characterized.

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Bourgogne Wine Sales: Prices buoyant, awaiting the return of greater volumes

The 2014 vintage provided generous yields with good quality, and is now the core of activity in the advance trade market. Bulk sales from estates are up on the strength of this; 94% of volumes sold came from the 2014 harvest. Available stocks held by producers are nonetheless still down on the average of the last five campaigns, and on the 10‐year average. It is the third consecutive year of deficit, and this is having an impact on markets, although export figures have been very encouraging in some of the major markets.

The signs of the return to growth seen in the United States, Japan and Hong Kong since the start of the year could be confirmed when the 2014 vintage is fully on the market, and with the arrival of this year’s vintage, which is of very high quality.

In France, results are more mixed, with a lower presence in the supermarket sector and on the restaurant circuit. The specialist wine store market held firm, with 40% reporting stability in © Crédit photo : BIVB / IBANEZ A. Bourgogne wines sales in 2014, and 33% reporting an increase.

Professionals in the Bourgogne wine sector nonetheless remain prudent. After two harvests with volumes closer to normal – 2014 produced 1.58 million hectoliters and 2015 is likely to come in at around 1.5 million – the Bourgogne wine region should gradually regain the market share it has lost through lack of stock.

Advance trade transactions: Sales focused on the 2014 vintage

With high volumes harvested (1.58 million hectoliters, up 8% on the 10‐year average), the 2014 vintage reinvigorated the advance trade market. After three campaigns of significant falls due to the low harvests in 2010, 2012 and 2013, trade picked up again.

In the course of the campaign from August 2014 to July 2015, sales from estates increased overall by 4%, but there were some nuances. Bulk sales were up 11% (up 80,161hl), but sales in the bottle dropped by 4% (down 23,826hl). Despite the year‐on‐year rise, they remain down 2.7% compared to the average over the past five campaigns, and down 3% on the 10‐year average.

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Bourgogne wine sales and available wine on estates at the start of campaign (Source: Customs / BIVB)

Volumes of trade between producers and wine brokers were up 17.6% over the 12 months of the 2014‐ 2015 campaign. Sales were stimulated by the 2014 harvest (up 21% by volume over 2013), but also by the négociants need for wine stocks, which had to be built up after several campaigns of low availability. This led to large volumes of the 2014 vintage being acquired, which accounted for 94% of the volumes traded in this campaign (777,537hl, compared to 625,535hl in 2013‐2014, growth of 24%).

Despite the good volumes in 2014, available wine with producers at the start of the 2014‐2015 campaign (stock as of July 2014 plus the 2014 harvest) remained at a critical level for the sector (down 5% compared to the five‐year average, and down 8% over 10 years). In fact, the Bourgogne wine region dropped to just eight months of stock in 2014.

For several years now, the region’s producers have been drawing on their reserves in order to limit any break in sales. The region has nonetheless lost some market share, having been unable to maintain sufficient volumes available for sale.

Export: Tending towards recovery in the main markets

Bourgogne wines are enjoying a boom, since the region enjoys a good image, which has been further enhanced with the inclusion of the Climats of the Bourgogne wine region being added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List on 4 July 2015. While exports remained slightly down over the first nine months of 2015 (down 3.4% by volume) due to the lack of wine, demand has picked up in several countries. This is being driven by the highly anticipated 2014 vintage, which is starting to come onto the market.

Other factors have had a positive influence on sales of Bourgogne wines: a euro/dollar exchange rate that is favorable for exports; low stock levels among importers‐distributors; and the permanent presence of Bourgogne wine representatives in international markets.

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In parallel, revenues have continued to grow, with an increase of 25.3 million euros (up 4.8%) over the first nine months of 2015 (to 549.4 million euros). Some 53% of this revenue came from Bourgogne white wines, 43% from red wines, and 4% from Crémant de Bourgogne. Export revenue for Bourgogne wines (From January to September 2015, source: Customs/BIVB)

Three of the main markets (USA, Japan, Canada), along with Hong Kong all posted strong performance for the first nine months of 2015. The United Kingdom, which used to be the leading market for Bourgogne wines, fell back. In a little over three years, sales of Bourgogne wines there went from 20 million bottles exported in 2011, to 14 million in 2014, meaning the UK lost its long‐held place as the leading export market, being supplanted by the United States.

Exports of Bourgogne wines also suffered in other European markets, especially Germany, and Switzerland (down 19.6% by volume over the first nine months of 2015, with total revenue down 15.7%). These three countries saw their overall wine imports shrink (down 5% by volume over the first seven months of 2015). Revenue from these territories dipped by 21% over the same period, with sales there concentrated on entry‐level wines. German and Swiss consumers tend to opt for home‐produced wines in the premium segments, whereas Belgian wine‐buyers are putting store brands ahead of producer brands, a sign of the growing influence of hard discount stores.

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Evolution in export markets for Bourgogne wines Total Jan to Sept 2015 (Source: Customs and IRI ‐ BIVB) – Size of bubble = revenue

HONG KONG: Evolution in volume: +12% ‐ in value: +66% Value: 27,981,943 €

How to read the graph: The size of the bubble is proportional to the market’s share of Bourgogne wine exports for the period Horizontal axis: change in volume compared to the same period in 2014 Vertical axis: change in revenue compared to the same period in 2014

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 L’Amérique du Nord repart à la hausse

United States ‐ Leading export market for Bourgogne wines (22% of total exports in terms of revenue in 2014) Exports of Bourgogne wines to North America returned to growth in terms of volume, up 6.7% over the first nine months of 2015, having been affected by the lack of availability in 2013 and 2014. This was driven by a favorable dollar/euro exchange rate. The increase was matched by a healthy 14.6% rise in revenues, a gain of 21 million euros.

The United States became the leading export territory by volume in 2014, whilst confirming its leading place in terms of revenue. This strong performance was chiefly down to imports of Régionale white Bourgogne appellations. In 2014, the United States accounted for 21% of all exports of these appellations, compared to 13% in 2008.

The healthy position of Bourgogne wines on the US market was confirmed over the first nine months of 2015 (up 7.2% by volume). Over the period, 21% of Bourgogne exports by volume went to the United States, and 25% of export revenue came from there, up 15% over the first nine months of 2014.

White Régionale appellations and Chablis were the biggest beneficiaries of this return to growth. Régionale white Bourgogne and Mâcon AOC sales © Crédit photo : BIVB / SOPEXA were up 11.3% by volume, and Chablis/Petit Chablis was up 15%, both at the © Crédit photo : BIVB / SOPEXA same time increasing their revenues.

Canada – 5th biggest export market for Bourgogne wines (5% of total exports in terms of revenue in 2014) Sales of Bourgogne wines to Canada also swelled. Over the first nine months of 2015, volumes exported increased by 5.4%, after a fall of 13% in 2014. Revenue saw a gain of 13.3%.

 European territories losing ground

The five main European export markets for Bourgogne wines slipped back 10% by volume over the first nine months of 2015. Since the financial crisis in 2008, Bourgogne wines have been steadily losing market share in these five countries. Sales are regularly below 40 million bottles, with fewer than 35 million sold in 2014. The lack of availability of Bourgogne wine has compounded this trend.

United Kingdom ‐ 2nd biggest export market for Bourgogne wines (15% of total exports in terms of revenue in 2014) Exports of Bourgogne wines to the United Kingdom fell 2% by volume from January to September 2015, with revenue stable (down 0.3%). The Chablis and Petit Chablis appellations make up a large part of exports, and showed growth by volume up 22.4%. This was mainly driven by volumes of Chablis AOC sold on the supermarket circuit (up 25% for the first eight months of 2015).

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Sales of Chablis have picked up again partly due to the volumes on promotion, which have gone from 57% in 2014 to 73% in 2015. It should be noted that the UK is increasingly moving towards bulk imports, which have tripled over the past decades, for price reasons. Bourgogne wines are not, however, all sold in bulk.

Sweden ‐ 9th biggest export market for Bourgogne wine (3% of total exports in terms of revenue in 2014) For the first nine months of 2015, sales of Bourgogne wines on the Swedish market dipped 2.7% by volume, with revenue sliding by 1.5%. It is hoped this is only a temporary slowdown after a period of strong growth. Bourgogne wine sales have gone from 1 million bottles in 2004 to 4.4 million in 2013. In this context, certain appellations still performed well: Chablis and Petit Chablis were up 14% by volume and 7.2% in terms of revenue, and Crémant de Bourgogne sales climbed 2.7% by volume and 6.9% in terms of revenue, regaining some market share. Overall imports of still wines to Sweden were down by 4.8% in the first half of 2015. Only imports of sparkling wines were up, with a 9% increase by volume.

Switzerland ‐ 6th biggest export market for Bourgogne wine (5% of total exports in terms of revenue in 2014) From January to September 2015, Switzerland accounted for 2% of the volume of Bourgogne wine exports (down 7%), and 4% of the revenue (down 14.3%), whereas total wine imports were stable (up 1.3% for the first nine months of 2015). The Chablis and Petit Chablis appellations were the only ones showing renewed growth on this market, and were closer to the volumes and revenue achieved in 2013 (first nine months of 2015).

Belgium ‐ 4th biggest export market for Bourgogne wines (6% of total exports in terms of revenue in 2014) This is the second year that Bourgogne wines have fallen back by volume (down 14% in 2014 and down 12% for the first nine months of n 2015) in Belgium. Revenue remained stable in 2014, but fell back in the first nine months of 2015 (down 9.4%). In Belgium, home drinking of still French wines dipped 9.5% by volume in the first half of 2015. This drop was © Crédit photo : BIVB /CREATIVE ROOM. more significant in the south of the country and in (down 11%). There is, however, one unknown factor in this equation: the volume of Bourgogne wines bought direct from estates by the many Belgian tourists who visit the region.

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Germany ‐ 7th biggest export market for Bourgogne wines (5% of total exports in terms of revenue in 2014) Over the first nine months of 2015, the German market for Bourgogne wines tumbled 33% by volume and 24% in terms of revenue. This performance should be taken in the context of several years of rising revenues, which climbed from 25 million euros in 2010 to 35 million in 2014. The distribution of Bourgogne wines in Germany has been gradually reoriented towards the traditional circuit of restaurants and specialist wine stores, which explains the growth over those four years. In parallel, Germany is tending to reduce its reexports of Bourgogne wines, which was in part responsible for the fall in the first three quarters of 2015. Overall, French AOC wine sales slumped, with whites down 36% and reds down 11%.

 Japan and Hong Kong return to growth

In the first nine months of 2015, the combined volume exported to the three main Asian markets for Bourgogne wines (Japan, China and Hong Kong) was up 2% by volume and up 15% in terms of revenue, despite a slight drop back in China in September.

After good growth from 2010 to 2012 in these three territories (an increase of 3.54 million bottles sold, and of 57 million euros in revenue), Bourgogne wine sales fell back by 2 million bottles between 2012 and 2014 due to lack of availability. Revenue also fell back by 6 million euros (down 4%). The losses affected Japan (10% of total Bourgogne wine exports in 2014) and Hong Kong (1% of exports).

Japan ‐ 3rd biggest export market for Bourgogne wines (13% of otal exports in terms of revenue in 2014) In 2015, Japan returned to growth with a 1.5% rise in volume (first nine months of 2015), while revenues grew by 3.3 million euros (up 4.6% for nine months), after a drop in 2014. This return to growth was in part due to a favorable exchange rate. Régionale Bourgogne white AOCs (up 2.8%) and the appellations Chablis and Petit Chablis (up 2%) were the main drivers of this growth..

Japan saw a recovery in demand for quality wines in bars and restaurants, in particular thanks to the continued rise of foreign tourists who are making the most of the weak yen and easier access to visas. The development of tourism is the stated strategy of the Japanese government, which has set the objective of attracting 20 million tourists in 2020, when the summer Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo (source BusinessFrance).

Hong Kong ‐ 8th biggest export market for Bourgogne wines (3% of total exports in terms of revenue in 2014) Hong Kong returned to growth, with volume sales up 12% for the first nine months of 2015, and revenue up 66.5%, after stagnating in 2014, affected like all markets for Bourgogne wines by the lack of availability.

This market specializes in the import of Village Premier Cru and Grand Cru Bourgogne wines, which explains the surge in revenue growth. For many years, Hong Kong was the second biggest market by volume in the Asia region behind Japan, but it gave up that position to China following the recession of 2008. China now imports Bourgogne wines directly into the mainland territory.

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China ‐ 11th biggest export market for Bourgogne wines (2% of total exports in terms of revenue in 2014) In the course of the first nine months of 2015, sales of Bourgogne slipped back 2.3% in terms of volume, although revenues increased by 4.9%. Nonetheless, the underlying trend in China has been for steady growth, with sales up 18.5% in 2012, 5.4% in 2013, and 9% in 2014). Régionale Bourgogne white AOCs benefitted most from this upturn, with an 18% rise in volume. Régionale Mâconnais AOC wines went from 7% of volumes of white Bourgogne exported to 18% for the first nine months of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. This strong performance was in line with the overall trend in China, where total wine imports increased by 8% in the first nine months of 2015. The market for import wine in China recently started to undergo a fundamental change. At the beginning of 2014, China put the brake on wine imports through several decisions by the government. Whereas the Chinese market was initially strongly oriented towards high‐end and wines with a top‐quality image (corporate gifts, or gifts between administrative bodies), a new law against corruption pulled the plug on this elitist market. This has led to the emergence of consumers who are more in search of taste and value for money. This represents a great opportunity for the Bourgogne wine region, which produces a wide range of wines. The change in consumer habits should be further boosted by the Chinese government’s decision to make it easier to operate storage hubs in the country, and by a relaxation of import taxes.

© Crédit photo : BIVB / SOPEXA

The financial upheaval in China during the summer of 2015 (stock market crash, devaluation of the currency) nonetheless leaves some question marks over the future of this market. But whatever happens to the Chinese economy, the Bourgogne wine region will not be greatly impacted. China only accounts for 2% of total export revenue.

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France: Bourgogne wines retain strong presence on traditional circuits

 The Bourgogne wine offer continues to grow in restaurants and specialist wine stores

The palette of wines offered by the Bourgogne wine region is especially well adapted to the traditional circuit of specialist wine stores and restaurants. Buyers in this sector have wide scope to select the Bourgogne wines best suited to their needs and tastes, while at the same time conserving an element of discovery for their clients.

The wine store sector remains dynamic, despite the low availability of Bourgogne wines. Some 40% of wine store operators reported stability in sales of Bourgogne wines, and 33% reported an increase in 2014 over 2013. Only 26% reported a drop. Over the end‐of‐year holiday period in 2014, 36% of wine stores reported an increase in sales compared to the same period in 2013, while 21% reported a fall.

The top‐selling appellations through specialist wine stores are mid‐range reds: Mercurey (20% of wine store sales, making this the leading AOC by some margin), followed by Givry, Pommard, Santenay and Marsannay.

In 2014, the restaurant sector returned to its levels of 2011, having been harder hit by the lack of Bourgogne wine. Bourgogne references are today present in 59% of restaurants (60% in 2011), compared to 63% in 2013. A reduction in the offer of Bourgogne wine per restaurant was also observed, with the average number of references for each establishment now 7.8 compared to 8.1 in 2013.

This trend has had a negative effect on volumes of Bourgogne wine sales. Around 10% of restaurateurs said © Crédit photo : BIVB / IMAGE ET ASSOCIES they had seen an increase in sales, mostly quite moderate (< 5% by volume), whereas 43% of restaurateurs reported a drop in sales, with 26.5% considering the drop to be greater than 5%. The Chablis appellation remains the most widely available, present in 28% of restaurants. This is followed by Bourgogne Aligoté (18.7%) and Mercurey (17.4%). Crémant de Bourgogne is gradually establishing itself (6.8%).

 The supermarket circuit more impacted by low availability

From January to August 2015, Bourgogne wine sales in the supermarket sector remained unsurprisingly on a downward trend. This high‐volume market was the first to be impacted by the successive low harvests of 2010, 2012 and 2013, and by the repositioning of Bourgogne wines in the higher value market segments. Volumes sold in supermarkets fell 8%, while revenue remained stable, with a 1% increase. The higher value attached to Bourgogne wines (up 6%) is in line with the logic of this circuit, which is seeking the best prices (up 5.3% on average sale price), through an offer perceived as higher quality and prestigious, responding to consumers’ desire to “drink less, but better quality.”

Sales of Bourgogne white wines dipped 8.5% by volume. Bourgogne Aligoté, which saw yields down 35% two years in a row, plays an important role in the change in this market (down 21.4% by volume). Bourgogne red wines posted a more limited fall (down 5.7%), mainly involving regional Bourgogne AOCs (Bourgogne red and Hautes‐ Côtes). The Coteaux Bourguignons AOC has made ready inroads, and two‐thirds of stores now stock it, with four‐ out‐of‐five stores in the Paris region carrying the appellation, just two years after it was created.

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Table of export figures for Bourgogne wines (total for first nine months of 2015 – Source: BIVB/Customs)

In thousands of 75cl bottles €K Variation Variation of of vol ume ‐ Volume ‐ total vol ume ‐ compared Destination country from January 2015 Volume ‐ total compared Value ‐ total from Value ‐ total from to to September from January 2014 to previous January 2015 to January 2014 to previous 2015 to September 2014 yea r September 2015 September 2014 yea r Total 56 840,95 58 864,50 ‐3,4% 549 362,57 524 019,42 4,8% USA 11 781,63 10 985,92 7,2% 135 283,01 117 784,25 14,9% UK 9 434,92 9 636,85 ‐2,1% 75 365,97 75 594,68 ‐0,3% JAPAN 6 173,65 6 083,54 1,5% 73 286,79 70 039,99 4,6% BELGIUM 4 690,11 5 338,54 ‐12,1% 25 369,36 28 005,18 ‐9,4% CANADA 4 350,53 4 128,70 5,4% 31 127,44 27 462,97 13,3% SWEDEN 3 205,34 3 295,18 ‐2,7% 16 683,14 16 945,21 ‐1,5% GERMANY 2 707,56 4 035,34 ‐32,9% 19 520,34 25 685,19 ‐24,0% 2 327,36 2 465,40 ‐5,6% 14 204,06 13 990,45 1,5% DENMARK 1 651,22 1 631,66 1,2% 12 497,73 10 922,44 14,4% CHINA 1 096,59 1 122,58 ‐2,3% 12 260,12 11 689,89 4,9% AUSTRALIA 1 039,03 865,30 20,1% 9 571,20 9 299,13 2,9% SWITZERLAND 1 004,74 1 081,62 ‐7,1% 20 671,89 24 116,74 ‐14,3% NORWAY 948,99 1 304,95 ‐27,3% 5 990,57 7 629,07 ‐21,5% HONG KONG 699,65 624,29 12,1% 27 981,94 16 808,03 66,5% IRELAND 473,44 799,02 ‐40,7% 2 884,33 4 175,60 ‐30,9% UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 393,05 409,63 ‐4,0% 4 852,60 4 628,24 4,8% ITALY 369,70 380,85 ‐2,9% 4 284,62 4 246,81 0,9% SINGAPORE 362,40 289,06 25,4% 7 659,34 7 133,98 7,4% SOUTH KOREA 329,28 255,52 28,9% 4 527,57 3 476,85 30,2% TAIWAN 314,54 264,02 19,1% 10 013,27 7 297,31 37,2% BRAZIL 279,06 371,04 ‐24,8% 1 919,81 3 001,97 ‐36,0% SPAIN 199,78 176,98 12,9% 2 039,58 1 800,07 13,3% FINLAND 188,53 209,27 ‐9,9% 1 141,66 1 254,23 ‐9,0% LUXEMBOURG 174,46 194,50 ‐10,3% 2 280,04 2 533,82 ‐10,0% LATVIA 151,71 204,45 ‐25,8% 1 057,11 1 281,72 ‐17,5% THAILAND 147,51 114,84 28,5% 2 316,56 1 360,60 70,3% ISRAEL 143,21 129,47 10,6% 1 381,28 955,07 44,6% MEXICO 137,69 111,30 23,7% 1 145,24 1 002,07 14,3% POLAND 134,53 128,89 4,4% 1 035,16 799,35 29,5% LITHUANIA 118,37 280,84 ‐57,9% 1 054,85 2 060,63 ‐48,8% RUSSIA 117,82 216,11 ‐45,5% 1 352,08 2 599,29 ‐48,0%

CZECH REPUBLIC 99,21 88,88 11,6% 1 130,88 873,22 29,5%

This economic report was produced by the Markets and Development Department of the BIVB November 2015

(Sources: Customs, Businessfrance, GTI, MIBD Market, CHD Expert, Symetris, IWSR, GLK, BIVB)

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Grands Jours de Bourgogne, 21 to 25 March 2016 The essential Bourgogne wines showcase in the heart of each terroir

Professionals in the Bourgogne wine sector will meet market Follow the Grands Jours influencers and press from around the world from 21 to 25 March de Bourgogne on Twitter 2016 for the 13th edition of the Grands Jours de Bourgogne. Share your experiences and favorite The event will focus on the great 2014 vintage, along with some wines using the hastag older years, and will combine business with a passion for wines #BourgogneGJB and meeting those who make them. and see your tweets on our website!

Follow us: Some 14 tasting events in 11 locations will allow attendees to meet as many contacts as possible in the course of the five days. @BourgogneWines

The Grands Jours de Bourgogne

Every other year since 1992, the Grands Jours de Bourgogne bring together professionals, market influencers and journalists in the heart of the Bourgogne wine region.

From Chablis in the north, through the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, to the Côte Chalonnaise in the south, visitors can take in all the winegrowing regions via 11 tasting sites. (For practical reasons, Mâconnais wines will be presented in Beaune.)

This unique event offers the possibility of meeting more than 1,000 winemakers, and discovering almost 10,000 wines in just five days. The previous edition in 2014 saw 2,400 visitors from 51 countries seize this unrivaled opportunity.

Attendance at the event is continually rising, and brings in many new faces: 45% of attendees were new registrations in 2014.

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Program

Monday 21 March / Chablis and Auxerrois  Les Portes d’Or de la Bourgogne / Le Petit Pontigny in Chablis Tuesday 22 March / Côte de Nuits  Joyaux en Côte de Nuits / Le Complexe in Gevrey‐Chambertin  Nuits‐Saint‐Georges et ses Climats and de Chambolle à Morey / Maison de Nuits in Nuits‐Saint‐Georges  Vosne millésime et Noblesse des Clos Vougeot / Château du Clos de Vougeot in Vougeot Wednesday 23 March / Mâconnais wines in the Palais des Congrès in Beaune  Symphonie Mâconnaise  L’Autre Bourgogne Thursday 24 March / Côte Chalonnaise  Au cœur de la Bourgogne / Tonnellerie de Mercurey in Mercurey  Salon des Jeunes Talents / Mercurey Friday 25 March / Côte de Beaune  Quatuor Inédit en Côte de Beaune / Tonnellerie Damy in Meursault  Des Maranges au Montrachet en passant par Santenay et Saint‐Aubin / Tonnellerie Seguin Moreau in Chagny  Pommard rime avec art, and Quintessence / Palais des Congrès in Beaune  Terroirs de Corton / in Aloxe Corton

New for 2016

Two new appellations  The wines of Saint‐Romain will be showcased in the Quintessence event.  The wines of Monthélie will be included in the Quatuor Inédit tasting.

A more balanced schedule  The Tuesday Côte de Nuits tastings will now be held at three sites instead of four. Exhibitors at the Chambolle to Morey event will join those at the Nuits‐Saint‐Georges and its Climats tasting.  The Friday Côte de Beaune Pommard rime avec Art and Quintessence tastings will both be held in Beaune’s Palais des Congrès. An improved shuttle service  Available for visitors from Tuesday to Friday for convenient and safe travel, the shuttles will provide rapid access to the various tasting venues (departures from Beaune).  To facilitate access to the Portes d’Or de la Bourgogne tasting (Chablis and Grand Auxerrois), shuttles will operate on a continuous loop between the parking lot of the school (collège) in Chablis and Le Petit Pontigny.

Our objective: To increase the number of visitors who can enjoy the event, whilst limiting its environmental impact. We have also created a more interactive website: www.grands-jours-bourgogne.com Thanks to a new “All news” thumbnail and the real‐time publication of visitors’ tweets using the hashtag #BourgogneGJB, the website has become more dynamic and fun (also on the mobile site).

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Tools available www.grands-jours-bourgogne.com (in French & English): to plan your visit

Starting from today, enjoy a foretaste of the Grands Jours by watching the new video presenting the event on the site’s homepage.

By the end of November, all sections will be online to allow you to discover the full program of the Grands Jours de Bourgogne 2016 and to plan your visit.

From early January, you can pre‐register for tastings.

In February, the list of all exhibitors and shuttle circuits will be available so you can finalize your visit.

The mobile site (in French & English): to guide you throughout the week

From your smartphone, you can organize your trip and access key information:

 News: Publication of visitors’ tweets   Program: Details of events, listed by day and geolocalized (Google Maps). From end November.  Exhibitors: Listed by date, wines and events. Full contact details of all participating winemakers and négociants, along with the appellations showcased. From end‐February.  Shuttle: Maps, timetables, frequencies and routes to facilitate your movements. The “How to get there” button will tell you in one click the route to take from wherever you are. From end‐February.  Press: Location of the press room for each day, with details of how to get there and opening hours.  Notebook: To record your tasting notes and contact details. Each note will be sent instantaneously to your email address.   Practical information: Also on the website (accommodation, restaurants, etc.).

 Partners: Presentation of the event’s seven partners (Chef & Sommelier, Crédit Mutuel, Conseil Régional de Bourgogne, Conseil Général of the Côte‐d’Or, the Saône‐et‐Loire, the Yonne, and the BIVB).

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The Roadbook: a tailored guide

For those who prefer paper, the pocket notebook in French and English will be available at the entrance to events. It includes all the essential information for the week.

For each day, you will find:  Departure times, frequency and routes for shuttles  A map of tasting venues, with GPS coordinates  The number of exhibitors and wines presented  Location of press rooms  Full details of the program

A dedicated tasting notebook for each day: to make life easy …

… and to help you travel light! Includes the list of exhibitors, their full contact details, and the wines showcased in each tasting, in pocket format.

Your press room The mobile press room will accompany you every day, right where the action is.

It provides many services, including internet access, computers, phones, local and national newspapers, drinks and pastries, all in a convivial setting.

The BIVB’s press officers will also be on hand to organize meetings and interviews with wine sector professionals.

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Professional e-learning on Bourgogne wines, now available to all!

This fun yet effective training module on Bourgogne wines, developed in four languages for market influencers worldwide, is now available to everyone. “Discovering Bourgogne Wines” was created in 2010 by the BIVB and revised in 2014. It comprises films, 360° photos, interviews and quizzes to test your knowledge, and can be used anywhere, anytime, thanks to its online and downloadable versions.

A learning module for all

In France and abroad, learning is one of the priorities of the Bourgogne wine sector. This e‐learning package was initially designed for professionals (importers, sommeliers, specialist wine retailers, restaurateurs, etc.) to develop their knowledge of Bourgogne wines.

Now the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) has decided it could be of benefit to all, and is making the learning program accessible in a few clicks on its website, free‐of‐charge!

Beyond the learning aspect, this is an invitation on a journey to the heart of the Bourgogne wine region – from the comfort of your own home or wherever you choose.

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Four topics to explore at your own pace

 An introduction to Bourgogne wines: Consolidate your knowledge of the region thanks to this program all about terroir, the grape varieties and appellations of the Bourgogne wine region.  365 days in Bourgogne: Follow all the main stages in the production of Bourgogne wines, from vine growing to vinification.  Tasting Bourgogne wines: Learn to express the sensations you experience when tasting white and red wines. A special module to master the techniques and vocabulary of tasting, and the characteristics of the various appellations.  Giving the right advice: Benefit from professional advice to become an expert on food and wine combinations or the conservation of your bottles. Impress your friends and become an ambassador of your favorite wines.

At the end of each module, a fun quiz allows you to test your knowledge. For each topic you can download a revision card that will provide you with a ready reminder of what you have learned.

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How to use it

At home, on holiday, or on a train, you can plunge into the world of Bourgogne wines at any time of day.

 Online, from the home of the site www.bourgogne‐ wines.com, at the left of the black box across the bottom of the screen. Click here for the online version

 Without an internet connection, once you have downloaded the software for free. Click here for the software (PC and Mac)..

 On your tablet, for access on the go. Click here for the mobile app for Android Click here for the mobile app for iOS

Features to make learning easy, effective and fun

 Interactivity: Suggested activities, points system to test your knowledge  Practical: Adapts to your needs, your timetable, and your level of knowledge  For all: Available in four languages (French, English, Chinese, Japanese)  Presentation: Modern and fun, with illustrations and easy navigation Quality content: An in‐depth package, tried and approved by professionals over the past four years

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Exploring and tasting with the guide En Route Vers les Bourgognes

Beaune, November 2015

Discover the latest edition of “En Route Vers les Bourgognes”, the essential guide to the wide choice of quality wine tourism on offer in the region. Organize a tailored program to suit you, as a couple, a family or among friends, and wind your way through the six tourist routes which stretch over

230 kilometers. The 100 Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée of the Bourgogne Lukan

/ region are there to be discovered year‐round! BIVB

:

Photo The guide in figures

Crédit

 343 estates, wine producers and cooperative wineries who all adhere © to the De Vignes en Caves* welcome charter (see below).  92 wine‐related events.  Some 100 restaurants bearing the “Vignobles & Découvertes” label.  One pullout map of the Bourgogne wine region produced in partnership with Bourgogne Tourisme and showing the key sites. On the reverse, mini‐maps detail each route.  Eight introductory themes, including “Wine”, “In a Word, the Climats”, “Varietals”, and so on.  92,000 print run of the new edition.  834 distribution outlets in the Bourgogne, Rhône‐Alpes and Jura regions: Tourist offices, Regional and Departmental Tourist Boards, hotels, camp sites, guest houses, Lyon airport.

New features  Around 20 new illustrations enrich the brochure.  A one‐page graphic presents the key figures of the Bourgogne wine region at the end of the guide.  The inclusion of the Bourgogne Climats on the Unesco World Heritage List.

And as always…  In both French and English.  Available free‐of‐charge on request from the BIVB and tourism points.  Can be downloaded from www.bourgogne‐wines.com, in the “A trip through the vines” section.  A summary listing the regions by color, to help you quickly find the producers, festivals, wine routes and gourmet stop‐overs you are looking for.

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Recap

The national Vignobles & Découvertes label was created in 2009 to establish a network among stakeholders in the wine tourism sector in the same region. Visitors can thereby easily identify all the activities on offer along wine routes. This label is attributed by the Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture for a three‐year period. Today, six destinations are currently included in the scheme, three of which have already been renewed**, bringing together 600 label‐bearing activities, including 155 wineries.

In chronological order of receiving the label: Beaune: From Corton to Montrachet** Dijon Côte de Nuits** region** Auxerrois wine region Mâconnais wine region Côte Chalonnaise

The Châtillonnais wine region is also taking the necessary steps to acquire the label in 2016.

* The success of En Route Vers les Bourgognes is down to the De Vignes en Caves welcome charter

This charter was created 24 years ago. Signatories commit to continually improving their welcome and the tasting experience in their cellars.

Members commit to:

 Providing a warm and individual reception (including in foreign languages)  Advertising fixed opening hours for visitors  Clearly displaying the sign indicating their commitment to the principles of the charter  A free tasting of at least one wine  Displaying a list of the appellations on sale  Offering take‐away wine sales (with a minimum purchase of three bottles) and a shipping service for 12 bottles or more  Supplying information about the Bourgogne wine growing region and the estate Sign displayed at the entrance to estates to identify members

NEW: The “De Vignes en Caves” sign that members display outside their estates has been redesigned. It comes into line with an eco‐responsible approach and is now reusable. Each time membership is renewed, only the tab with the current year needs to be changed, which clips in place of the old one.

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