While top chateaux are celebrating the 2005 Bordeaux vintage as the best in a century, struggling French producers of vin ordinaire are making millions of litres of wine that nobody wants. They are suffering because of the superior marketing skills of their New Year rivals in Australia, California, South Africa and elsewhere. All of the 10 most popular brands in Britain come from Australia and the US. Now the Australians are planning an aggressive marketing push to boost UK exports further, especially premium wine in London restaurants. The move follows the rejection by the Canberra government of a proposed A$60m (£24.5m) industry tax to bail out struggling grape growers. The Observer 11/06/06 (Business) page 5 The Independent on Sunday 11/06/06 (Business) page 2

Topics