FRANCE: Georges Duboeuf hints at appeal

Georges Duboeuf has hinted that he may appeal against a French court ruling that found his company guilty of blending wines from different types of grape.

Duboeuf, the inventor of Beaujolais Nouveau and dubbed 'le Pape du Beaujolais' by French wine critics, was yesterday (4 July) fined EUR30,000 (US$38,260) for blending cheaper and high-quality grapes - a practice forbidden under France's AOC system.

However, Duboeuf yesterday refused to accept the judgement having throughout the trial - held in Villefranche-sur-Saone in the Rhone valley - blamed the mixing of different grapes on human error.

"Georges Duboeuf Wines will formally contest the ruling," M Duboeuf's company told just-drinks today. "Georges Duboeuf Wines reserves the right to lodge an appeal as soon as we have looked at the reasons for the ruling."

Throughout the trial, Duboeuf, 72, denied that the wine in question had been marketed or sold. He argued that former production manager at the winery, Sylvain Dory, had spotted the mistake and promptly resigned. Dory was yesterday given a three-month suspended sentence and fined EUR3,000.

Duboeuf's lawyer had argued that his client was innocent and said: "This trial is not just costly for the Duboeuf company, it is costly for the whole wine-producing region of Beaujolais."

Inter Beaujolais, the promotional body for wines from the region, refused to be drawn on the ruling when contacted by just-drinks. "We do not have any comment on the court's decision," a spokesperson said.

Duboeuf's company exports 76% of its production with its key export markets including the US, Japan, the UK and the Netherlands.