The emergence of a surprising new market has provided much-needed cheer for Bordeaux’s struggling winemakers as more Africans develop a taste for claret.
Wine exports to former French colonies in west Africa are growing even as worldwide demand has slumped, tastes have moved away from southwest France’s tannin-heavy reds and the French themselves are drinking less wine.
“French-speaking African countries are a very important market for us with a lot of potential for future growth,” Sylvie Cazes, of Château Chauvin winery near Bordeaux, said.
Cazes with her husband Pierre De Gaetan Njikam, the Cameroon-born local Bordeaux politician, centre. Cameroon is one of the biggest importers of Bordeaux wine
Ivory Coast imports more wine from the Bordeaux region than any other African country, with Cameroon not far behind. “In value, Ivory Coast amounts to €12.7 million a year for Bordeaux. In terms of the number of bottles exported, Ivory Coast