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Anivin de France selects ambassador wines for 2023

03 March 2023 By Louis Thomas

Following an extensive tasting, Anivin de France, the country’s national trade organisation for still wines under the Vin De France (VDF) designation, has announced that 146 medal-winning wines have been selected as ambassador wines for this year.

Following a blind-tasting of 486 wines from 111 French wine businesses by an international panel of 52 wine buyers and oenologists in Paris last month, 48 gold and 98 silver medallists were selected. In total, 59 companies won medals, a testament to the strength of this category.

One thing several judges commented on was the diversity of styles possible under VDF labelling, from natural orange wines to those using international varieties, a major draw for overseas markets.

Barbara Houtzager, of Netherlands-based retail company Ahold Delhaize, commented: “VDF is very relevant… from popular premium to premium wines. We have more and more wines on the shelves. Consumers want a good wine from France and don’t understand appellations, so VDF is a good solution.”

Susan Gitu, of Kenyan supermarket Naivas, said: “VDF simplifies the offer from France. The wines are clear and easier to understand than the rest of the French offer and the grape and brand appears on the label. These are easy to drink wines.”

Dave Roberts, of Virgin Wines in the UK, added: “VDF represents the freedom to make wines we know our customers are going to love. We will see it growing in our portfolio.”

The medal-winning wines were shown at the recent edition of Wine Paris, and will be showcased again at this month’s ProWein at Anivin de France’s booth in Hall 10.

Created in 2009, VDF is a growing category, with 332 million bottles produced last year (two thirds of which will be exported). Presently, VDF wines account for around 14% in volume of all French exports of still wines, and the UK is the second biggest market by volume, importing the equivalent of 27 million 75 centilitre bottles.

To find the full list of medal-winning wines, click here.

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