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Gérard Bertrand (pictured second left) at the International Wine Challenge 2012 awards dinner |
Gérard Bertrand has won the Red Winemaker of the Year accolade at the International Wine Challenge 2012 awards dinner, held on Tuesday at the London Hilton Hotel.
The former Stade Français rugby captain, who now heads his eponymous premium wine company, has taken a further step in his mission to put wines from the Languedoc region of southwest France on the world map.
Updating The Moodie Report on the brand’s progress over the past year, Global Travel Retail Director Christophe Balaÿ said: “2012 has been a year of great progress and achievement in travel retail for Gérard Bertrand with new listings, range extensions, and opening of new travel retail outlets.
“Sales of Gérard Bertrand wines in the travel retail channel have shown a high increase over the last 12 months, particularly in Europe. We have significantly strengthened our position and brand recognition as a player both in the still premium wine market and the sparkling wine business.”
He continued: “Our strong identity and differentiation, our recent election as European Winery of the Year (Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards), as well as our status of flagship producer of the South of France have played a role in this achievement.”
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Legend Vintage, Prima Nature |
NEW LISTINGS
The company has achieved “a significant number” of new listings, Balaÿ said, including:
Aelia airport concessions: Extension of existing distribution network to Lyons Saint Exupéry airport, Nouméa, UK and Warsaw airports, Eurostar Terminal;
The Nuance Group: Toulouse and Antalya (Turkey);
Dufry North America: New York Newark, Houston and Mexico airports;
Belgian Sky Shops: Brussels and Charleroi airports;
Finnair: Helsinki Airport;
Schiphol Airport Retail: Amsterdam Schiphol;
Dubai Duty Free: Dubai International Airport;
Qatar Duty Free: Doha International Airport;
Muscat Duty Free: Muscat International Airport;
Chacalli de Decker, Belgium: diplomatic catalogue;
Frihöfnin Iceland: Keflavik International Airport;
Baltona: Montpellier airport and diplomatic operations in Poland
In addition, the company has secured new airline supply contracts, reinforcing its share in the wine pouring business with a new contract with Air Canada for Gérard Bertrand Terroir Minervois and gained several others such as Finnair, Air Baltic and Wow Airlines.
It has also expanded its cruiseline business in Europe and North America, ferries and ship chandlers with specialised partners.
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Château La Sauvageonne, Code Rouge |
NEW PRODUCTS
A number of new products will be launched at the 2012 TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes (Red Village K11). They are Legend Vintage, Code Rouge, Prima Nature and Château La Sauvageonne Pica Broca.
Legend Vintage Rivesaltes: Fortified wines from exceptional vintage years between 1875 and 1974 are made with Grenache Noir, Macabeu and Grenache Gris grapes. They are presented in an individual luxury wooden box, numbered bottles and limited distribution by allocation only. Retail prices range between €140 and €10,000 for the 1875 vintage.
Code Rouge Brut Eternel: Presented in a trendy red bottle, this wine is described as a high-end version of Crémant de Limoux. Contains 70% Chardonnay; 20% Chenin; 10% Mauzac. Crystalline colour, fine bubbles. Retail price level: €25. It is available with a full marketing package featuring dedicated glasses, buckets, magnums and jeroboams.
Prima Nature: Described as an innovative product range featuring varietal wines without added sulphites or additives, targeted at those who are concerned about health issues and sustainable development. The five skus are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Corbières. The wines are grown using sustainable methods and have been awarded Terra Vitis accreditation. Retail price level is €8.90/€9.90.
Château La Sauvageonne Cuvée Pica Broca: This AOP Terrasses du Larzac Coteaux du Languedoc is made with highly matured Grenache and Syrah grapes from a terroir northwest of Montpellier at the gateway of the Causse du Larzac. Limited yields. Retail price level is €12.50.
For details, e-mail Christophe Balaÿ, Global Travel Retail Director, at c.balay@gerard-bertrand.com
