Preserving tradition in every drop: The travelling French distiller Meet the fourth-generation mobile Armagnac distiller and his 110-year-old copper still called Marie-Jeanne
How to describe wine like a French sommelier Winemaker Jonathan Hesford provides a beginner’s guide to talking about flavours, smells and preferences in French
From corks to screw caps: French wine bottles are changing Screw caps are winning out on ‘drinkable’ wines and recyclability, but are still facing resistance among premium wines Lidl’s €1.89 bottles of Bordeaux spark protests in south-west France The pros, cons and subsidies of wine tourism in France 'Lacking’ ‘nice’ 'pointless': your view on no-alcohol wine in France
How a French winemaker put the world’s biggest wine fraudster in jail I realised what was happening when I saw our wine on an auction list with a vintage 20 years before we started making it, said Laurent Ponsot
Should you be worried about pesticides in French wine? Vigneron Jonathan Hesford says wine buyers should look beyond the shock headlines
US president Thomas Jefferson’s French wine tour has lasting legacy The third President of the United States wanted an American wine industry to compete with the ‘debauchery’ of whisky
Recalls, new home rules, tax refunds: French practical round up Our pick of practical articles you may have missed
Compostable wine bottle cork to be made at French factory The biodegradable cork is formed using plant-based glue that will breakdown naturally with other green waste
Large recall of supermarket white and rose wine in France Many bottles and boxes of muscat and rosé contain dangerous levels of additives
Five tips for drinking better wine in France without spending more Winemaker Jonathan Hesford explains how to maximise your enjoyment and budget
‘British drinking habits come as a shock now we live in France’ They drink so much and so fast, says columnist Samantha David after a trip to London
Most French people are open to under-18s trying alcohol, study finds Health experts warn that early tasting can lead to dependence later on in life
Can you bring your own wine to a French restaurant? The practice is becoming increasingly popular as people’s budgets are squeezed, but it is important to be 100% clear on the restaurant’s rules before showing up bottle-in-hand What does a winemaker in France actually do all day? Day 6 of French regional Christmas specialities: Vin chaud Beaujolais Nouveau: the French party wine the world has grown to love
Five things they don’t tell you about getting tipsy in France Do not be drawn into French drinking songs - being noticeably drunk in public is against the law ‘Why this was my most challenging harvest as a winemaker in France’ France is once again the world’s largest producer of wine A French grape variety guide by winemaking region Geographical protection approved for France’s ‘wine from the midi’ King’s visits boosts wine, and other good news stories from France
Wine tips: don’t stick to your favourite French grape Connexion writer Jonathan Hesford on why choosing the same variety can limit your tasting pleasure
A marathon with wine and 4 other unusual sporting events in France The Marathon du Médoc, sometimes called the longest race in the world, features 23 wine stops, orchestras, oysters and steak over 43 kilometres
French supermarkets prepare to launch traditional ‘Foires aux Vins’ The annual event sees many wines on offer at lower-than-normal prices but the involvement of supermarkets in wine sales is still considered controversial by some
Addiction experts criticise plans not to raise alcohol tax in France Increased taxes could have helped pay healthcare costs and even save lives, says President of the French Federation of Addictology
French winemakers harvest grapes by night to escape heatwave Vignerons have had to work through the night to stop grapes from spoiling
More tax on alcohol, sick pay: what will France’s 2024 budget change? We look at measures reported to be under review in a bid to reduce France’s vastly expanded social security deficit
Winemaker accused of selling 1.8 million bottles of fake champagne Carbonated gas was added to wine from Spain and the Ardèche and sold as champagne in supermarkets, claim a former and a current employee
‘Never seen such damage’: Mildew hits vines in French wine region The damaged vines could cause a drop in the amount of Bordeaux wine produced this year, with a likely knock-on effect on prices
Five things they don’t tell you… about wine in France Never chill a bottle of red and other unwritten rules around drinking wine - but do you agree?
Anger as ‘Sud de France’ brand is banned from wine bottles Critics say the decision is bureaucratic and shows the government lacks ambition when it comes to developing the wine industry
Harvest fears as damaging mildew fungus hits French vineyards As much as 90% of some vineyards in Bordeaux have been affected by the latest crisis to hit the winemaking community
Centre yourself in the wine-making, historical heart of France We explore the central department of Cher, where visitors can step back in time in the medieval city of Bourges, mess about in boats, or sample some world-famous wine
‘Sudden fall’: Concern over people drinking less wine in France Winegrowers should export more to cope with a trend of young people turning to beer and spirits, a leading national cooperative has said
Rosé wine guide - a tour through France’s pink wine producing regions Provence is world famous for its rosé - but what about the rest of France? Winemaker Jonathan Hesford has answers
Is Bordeaux rosé a genuine threat to Provence’s supremacy? A new taste test suggests that Bordeaux varieties could be emerging as a credible rival
The wine industry is in constant evolution in France and beyond Jonathan Hesford reflects on ever-changing trends from both makers and drinkers
Which French white wine has been newly crowned as the world’s best? A total of 18 different countries were represented at the ‘White Wine World Cup’ in Strasbourg
€100,000 prize for world’s ‘biggest-prize’ treasure hunt near Paris Six wine-based puzzles which you can do from anywhere lead to reward
‘Stark health warnings on every wine bottle in France is absurd’ Winemaker Jonathan Hesford examines the impact of health labelling on small wine producers and the Mediterranean diet
From California to free life making wine in the 'Kansas of France' Running an organic vineyard was never on the cards for this American until she travelled to France and fell for a Frenchman
Dangerous pesticides found in areas around French vineyards A new study has found significant traces of pesticides which are suspected of causing cancer in a wide area surrounding vineyards in France
Drinkers warned over possible slivers of glass in two French wines A defect in the neck of the bottle has sparked fears consumers are in danger of swallowing glass
Pineau des Charentes becomes bartenders' secret weapon in cocktails Thanks to innovative French producers, this fortified wine is brushing off its dusty image and making a splash with mixologists
French vineyard so steep workers use ropes is now on world top 12 list Everything is done by hand at the vineyard in Alsace - even harvesting by luge
American drinkers push French alcohol exports to new record Emphasis on luxury and quality over quantity as exports reached over €17billion in 2022, a welcome boost for the industry amidst struggles on the home market
Wine producers in France to distil surplus to avoid price drops Producers want to make excess into pure alcohol for spirits - or even hand gel - to avoid a glut in the market as people drink less wine. Some producers are even ripping up vines
Supermarket French wine recall over fears of slivers of glass inside The two wines were sold for over a year in Monoprix, the other in Metro
Marches, mimosa, Molière: The week ahead in France This week (February 13-19) is also set to include a controversial healthcare debate (and a strike about it), another day of pension protests, a wine show and more
What is the future of organic wine in France and do consumers care? Vigneron Jonathan Hesford explains the ‘behind-the-scenes’ issues facing vins biologiques producers
French vineyard yields: it’s quality versus quantity Vigneron Jonathan Hesford looks at why regulating grapes on a bunch is so crucial for French wine producers
Bordeaux winegrowers demand money to uproot vines As French winemakers struggle with declining exports and increased red tape, Brian McCulloch hears how some are looking to cut their losses altogether
How to choose French wines to match classic British Christmas food We explore the perfect pairings for turkey, salmon and Christmas pudding
French sparkling wines to rival Champagne on price and taste Why not opt for a Crémant this Christmas? We talk to a fizz producer in Burgundy about making wine for savvy consumers
Beaujolais Nouveau Day: ‘quality’ year but fewer bottles available Does it always taste of banana? Do they all taste the same? Can you keep it? We look at some myths around this wine
Tannins can make red wine undrinkable or delicious – what are they? They can make your face pucker or add rich complexity – winemaker Jonathan Hesford explains their importance
Five money saving tips to help you this winter in France Here are five ways to make your cash go further this winter, from reduced food apps like Too Good To Go to fine dining at a discounted price.
Here's how to save money on good French wine Supermarkets offer a vast range of wine but more savings can be made by cutting out the middleperson
Wine tips: ‘Acidity is a balancing act with sweetness and tannins’ Vigneron Jonathan Hesford explains how acids affect the way a wine tastes and reveals some winemaker tricks
Are there bargains to be found at France’s Foires aux Vins wine sales? The annual sales generally run from September to October. We look at how much of a saving you can expect to make
French set-up going to plan as UK wine wholesaler moves citing Brexit €150,000 a year in extra costs were the catalyst for a change of country – but south of France lifestyle is added bonus
‘I fight for wine in French culture, heritage and economy’ The new president of France’s most powerful wine lobby talks to The Connexion about climate change, health and the true value of wine
French wine appellations AOP and IGP - what is the point? Winemaker Jonathan Hesford’s view on what the French wine classification system really means
Grape harvest begins earlier than ever in south France due to heat One producer says he always begin harvesting early, partly because of the location of his plot, but that climate change is also having an impact
Sugar, yeast, ice, mould - what makes French sweet wine…sweet? Winemaker Jonathan Hesford explains how sweet wines are made
Wine tasting basics: describing the smell, the flavour and the texture Wine maker, Jonathan Hesford, tells us how to describe wine and why we prefer one wine to another
French wine rules despite sour grapes at ‘Judgment of Paris’ We look back to May 1976 when a momentous wine tasting bruised French egos... but they had the last laugh
French vineyard dream - equipment needed to turn your grapes into wine Wine grower and producer Jonathan Hesford looks at the kit and costs involved for a new ‘vigneron’ and it might be more than you think
Price of wine set to rise in France due to shortage of bottles Lingering effects of Covid and the war in Ukraine have pushed up the price of glass by 20% in a year
What you need to know before producing your own wine in France Producing the grape-based beverage is a dream for many people. We look at the minimum requirements of managing a vineyard and why it is doable, but not easy
Pro-wine President Macron pleases industry but upsets doctors The ‘two-glasses-a-day’ president has often referred positively to wine’s cultural heritage and significance - a stance which concerns health professionals
How to read French wine labels - Château, Chablis and chardonnay We explain French winemaking terms like ‘négociants’ and ‘récoltant’ plus how to spot useful information rather than marketing spin
Upset over call to label wine nutritionally ‘unhealthy’ in France The creators of France’s Nutri-Score, which gives supermarket products a ranking from A-E depending on their health benefits, want to give alcohol a score of F
Winery in France offers bottle refill scheme to cut carbon footprint ‘60% of our CO2 footprint came from packaging, due to the energy used to make glass,’ says one of the owners of the Alsace vineyard
AOP or IGP, doux or liquoreux…How to interpret French wine labels A little knowledge can go a long when choosing wine, says independent wine grower Jonathan Hesford
Bordeaux producer sentenced to prison for wine mixing and label fraud Vincent Lataste’s company was also found to have watered down bottles and sold wine with labels showing the wrong year
Canned wine expands in France A drinks can-filling factory famous for Cacolac chocolate milk is using excess capacity to produce canned wine
Beaujolais Nouveau turns 70 with less banana and more cherry flavours The wine is likely to taste more of red fruits due to a change in the fermentation process
Beaujolais' bid to grow up 35 years after the first Beaujolais nouveau, president of the Beaujolais wine interprofessional council says now is the time to 'rebuild' and focus on ‘quality’
French ‘hybrid’ wine barrel made of clay and wood 'is the future' Some winemakers in France and abroad have been experimenting with clay fermentation vessels, similar to the amphoras used by ancient Romans
Explained: Sulphites in French wine Increasing numbers of wines are being marketed as 'No Added Sulphites' or 'Sulphite-free'. Winemaker Jonathan Hesford writes on innovative marketing, mousy smells and false information