French Professionals Enjoy California Wine During Trade Event

Visit California hosted a company of 16 French tourism professionals for a wine tasting networking event last month to highlight California as a premier destination for wine lovers across the globe. With California accounting for more than 80% of wine sales in the United States, there was no better location to boast a vinous presentation to the French market.

Guests sampled six Californian wines with carefully curated accompanying bite-sized tastes of California at the Kimpton St Honoré hotel in Paris on March 30.

Visit California France recommended wine experiences to attendees, including Frey Wine in Mendocino, which features an entirely vegan and gluten free wine selection; Sonoma's Benziger Family Winery, which offers guests the unique experience of tractor rides through their vineyards; and Centralas, an eco-conscious urban winery located in the heart of Los Angeles that implements carbon footprint-friendly glass and dry farming.

During this immersive sampling, the group of tour operators, product and marketing managers heard from French speakers well-versed in the Californian wine landscape.

Chef Cathleen Clarity discussed her experiences in California and her insight of the cuisine. She finished her presentation with a raffle of a copy of her book, “La Nouvelle Cuisine Californienne,” which she sent home with two of the guests.

Ecologist and director of operations at Atelier des Chefs, Gaspard Nau Valbak, divulged his extensive knowledge of Californian viticulture. He detailed the difference in grape varieties in each wine the guests tasted in sharing his gastronomic passion.

Visit California looks forward to developing new opportunities to bring Golden State wine and tourism to the international market.