How Are French Vineyards Faring Through the COVID-19 Pandemic?

 It is the case for wine tasting which, this year in France, will not take place inside the Châteaux but instead at critics and clients’ home, wherever they may be located around the world.

Winery Tours in France

Most vineyards in France receive visitors on their estate to taste the wine and tour the premises. Some even have restaurants where they serve food which complements their wine. This has been halted since the middle of March in France, due to the coronavirus health crisis which forced a lockdown of the country. 

Touring France wineries is one of the great experiences one can enjoy in this beautiful country, while discovering the various natural decor of the different regions, from la Champagne to Bordeaux. Here is a touristic guide in French to learn more about the different regions.

Bordeaux "En primeurs" tasting

Normally late March and early April are highlights of the wine scenery in Bordeaux. That is when wine merchants, investors and writers visit the estates to take part in tasting sessions, which feature various previous vintages. It’s an important moment since it decides which years will be considered stellar or mediocre (and everything in-between). 

Since it was not possible to gather people in France this year, the samples were actually mailed out or sent by courier to various tasters around the world. That way, wine specialists could still comment via conference calls on Zoom or Facebook live, and deliver their impressions through blogs and social postings on Instagram, Facebook and other social media.

The Business Side

Winemakers who were contacted said that the wine making process this year is actually easier than previous years, with no one out in the fields but them. Other aspects of the business haven’t been impacted such as exporting the bottles to the USA and other countries. Direct sales to their clients and in online e-boutiques are also still going on.  

But it isn’t all perfect. Part of the wine produced by the various estates is sold directly to restaurants. Since bars, cafés and all types of restaurants are closed to customers, this part of the business has hit rock bottom and no one knows when this industry will be able to reopen in France. They also miss the visitors coming to taste wine in their cellars, which is one of their favourite parts as they can get feedback on their products. Of course, they also usually leave with a few bottles in hand…