No “dry January” for the approximately 500 tasters invited to the 47e edition of Gard wine competition. Next to 800 samples are planned, with approximately 200 medals to distribute. The Young Farmers Union (JA) of Gard wishes “restore its greatness” at its flagship event.
It starts with a new setting. The participating cellars (around a hundred) will occupy the new Ludivine-Furnon sports hall, open at the beginning of November. This surge of novelty will be accompanied by a “reconnection with a tradition” of the competition: the buffet of local products of the network Welcome to the farm which will conclude this day of January 23, 2025.
More than pageantry, this meeting, which participates in financing the agricultural union, aims to promote the work of Gard winegrowers. Pierre Vidal, president of the competition, encourages all types of operators to try their luck: “Being a medalist is a real added value. The macaroon sells”, he assures. A significant asset in a society where the French drink.”less but better”.
“Accompanying your meal with a glass of wine is essential!”
Impossible to deny the drop in consumption wine, reported by the National Committee of Wine Interprofessions and felt by farmers: “Today, it’s rare for a family to open a bottle every evening,” observes Romain Angelras. A realistic observation that not everyone can make.
“Accompanying your meal with a glass of wine is fundamental”tranche Michel Hermet, sponsor of the competition. The owner of the Wine Bar Le Cheval Blanc in Nîmes, the honorary president the French Sommellerie Union cannot resign ourselves to seeing this national heritage “soothing” et “good for health” what is wine, lose its aura.
The JA winegrowers are trying to adapt. The introduction of a category “the bubbles” in the competition is an example. Because the sparkling wine market, although it will not be enough to increase consumption, is according to the vice-president of the union, “an avenue to explore”.
A context of crisis for the Gard Wine Competition
This 2025 edition of Wine competition Young Farmers takes place in an always complicated context. The refrain seems to have been heard many times before: “An explosion of charges and sales prices driven down”summarize the members of the JA. It must be said that almost a year after the major demonstrations at the start of 2024, the situation has not improved. THE disastrous harvest came to exacerbate an already tense situation: “We didn’t imagine it was going to be worse this year,” warns Romain Angelras, who calculates the drastic fall in harvests: “Barely 2,500,000 hectoliters, compared to 3,200,000 usually.” If the president of the JA du Gard acknowledges having obtained some answers at the beginning of 2024, the Government “is still in the crosshairs.” The tractors are not – for the moment – positioned on the highways, but the tension is rising and should materialize Monday November 18, 2024. On this date, several farmer mobilizations are planned, a priori in the evening throughout the department.
