CWW Let's talk about... Keeping afloat? How French wine producers stay profitable, with Helen Savage
2026-04-28 18:00 - 19:00 (Europe/London) | London
‘La crise viticole’ overshadows all other topics in French reporting on the wine industry. Consumption is tumbling, costs are rising, catastrophic hikes in tariffs block exports and wineries of all sizes are going out of business. Economy of scale hardly seems to matter, but independent growers in unfashionable or overlooked appellations have their backs against the wall. This study investigates the challenges they face and how the best and most imaginative businesses are managing to stay competitive and profitable.
Helen Savage has carried out a series of case studies in the areas of Bordeaux away from the spotlight of the classed growths and in neighbouring Bergerac and the Côtes de Duras. In particular, she looks in detail at the winning approach by Fanny Rey and her family at Domaine des Graves d’Ardonneau at Saint Mariens in the appellation of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux. Fanny, with her two brothers, Christian and Laurent were chosen by the 2025 Guide Hachette as Bordeaux winemakers of the Year, though Fanny readily admits this only gave their business a modest boost. We hope that Fanny may also able to join us in person.
Biographies
Fanny Rey
Fanny comes from a family of winemakers able to trace their roots on their estate back to 1763. As a youngster, wine was not her passion, but she chose to combine business studies in Bordeaux as well as singing lessons at the local conservatoire. Prodigiously talented, a glittering career on state was a real possibility, but stage fright meant that wine won. She is takes responsibility for the commercial side of the family business of the Domaine des Graves d’Ardonneau with its 70 hectares of vines.
Helen Savage
Helen is a highly experienced wine educator and writer, a member both of CWW and AWE. For many years based in the North East of England she moved permanently to South West France in 2023, from where she also pursues her special interests in organic and biodynamic viticulture, Champagne and the wines of Alsace. She is amazed to discover that her little history of French wine written in 2011 (and even translated into French) is still available on Amazon and in other French outlets. It’s high time she wrote something else.
To join this Zoom seminar, please register now or at any time before 6pm GMT on April 28th.
The session, including Questions and Answers, will last for approximately one hour.
To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4VxIJ73uRQKzjgRvM_OjNA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. We look forward to seeing you then.
If you can’t attend the live session, there will be a recording available to watch afterwards on the Circle’s YouTube channel (links to this and earlier sessions are in the members’ area of the website).
Helen Savage, CWW online events organiser

A JOURNEY THROUGH LAURENT-PERRIER'S SAVOIR-FAIRE
2026-04-29 11:30 - 13:30 | 67, Pall Mall, St James’s Room, London, SW1Y 5ES
SAVE THE DATE
Discover the House’s inimitable winemaking methods at a special tutored tasting hosted by Laurent-Perrier Oenologist, Constance Delaire.
This is a tutored tasting, spaces are limited to 40 people.
11.30 – 12.30 Tasting
12.30 – 13.30 Buffet Lunch

Tejo Tasting & Masterclass – Freshness, Sustainability, Value and Diversity from Portugal
2026-05-11 10:00 - 16:00 | ASIA House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 7LP
10 dynamic producers from Tejo, the region that’s currently rising up the charts in Portugal, are coming to London to share over 90 wines from this diverse winemaking region.
A chance to meet the winemakers, taste wines available in the UK and those seeking representation, and take a deep dive into the richness of this region’s offering in the masterclass; New Terroir, Old Vines and Modern Styles of Tejo led by Portuguese expert, Dirceu Vianna Junior MW.
Register here for Wines of TejoTasting & Masterclass 11 May 2026 or contact emma@eviva.co.uk for more information.

Australia and New Zealand Masterclass and Tasting
2026-06-22 10:00 - 17:00 | The Grand Hotel, 1 Church Street, Birmingham, B3 2FE
The Aussies and Kiwis have lots in common: fine wine, great food, stunning scenery, the cool Southern Ocean and also our cool Antipodean attitude. Our wines are an expression of our distinctive terroirs and the vibrant communities that craft them. Perfecting traditional techniques and inventing our own ways of doing things, we push the boundaries in the pursuit of the most diverse, thrilling wines in the world.
Join us for the masterclass to taste sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah/Shiraz from Australia and New Zealand. Find out why they’ve become signature styles of the regions, and learn about the diversity and impact of soils, climate and winemaking.
The line-up includes elegant cool climate expressions and new releases as well as older vintages. We also invite you to explore classic and contemporary styles in the free-pour tasting, which features 60 wines. The flights are sparkling wine, Riesling, aromatic whites, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, rosé, light reds, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon and blends. Challenge your perceptions and discover a fresh side of Australian and New Zealand wine. All of the wines are available in the UK. If you’re looking to expand your portfolio of Australian and New Zealand wines, this is a great opportunity to taste and explore a diverse range under one roof.
Masterclass:
10.30 – 12.00
14.00 – 15.30
Free-pour tasting
10.00 – 17.00
Masterclass – Explore sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah/Shiraz in the masterclass with Emma Symington MW and Anne Krebiehl MW, then try 60 classic and contemporary wines in the free-pour tasting. Challenge your perceptions and discover a fresh side of Australian and New Zealand wine.
For more information and to register to attend, please visit https://ausnzwine-birmingham.eventbrite.com.au
Please note that this is a trade tasting and is limited to wine trade and media only.
