Edition of October 9, 2026

Can second wines retain their appeal?

Bordeaux second wines are struggling alongside the wider market, despite remaining an important way for estates to attract customers.

Second wines sit at the intersection of château identity, selection and accessibility. Their performance offers a useful test of whether Bordeaux can convert prestige into more approachable buying propositions.

Source: Sud Ouest The Fine Wine Market

Can Vinitech Sifel help revive the wine sector?

The 25th Vinitech Sifel will take place in Bordeaux in early December, showcasing technical solutions intended to help the wine sector emerge from its difficulties.

Bordeaux’s challenges extend beyond promotion and sales. The trade fair will show which practical vineyard and production tools are being positioned as part of the sector’s response.

Source: Sud Ouest Visiting BordeauxVineyard and Cellar

Bordeaux’s second-wine fair returns to Hangar 14

Terre de Vins and Cash Vin will hold the 10th Foire aux seconds vins on October 10, 2026, at Hangar 14 in Bordeaux, according to Sud Ouest.

Created in 2016, the fair provides a direct retail setting for a category that estates increasingly use to reach customers below grand vin pricing.

Source: Sud Ouest Visiting Bordeaux

New marketing direction as Bordeaux volumes decline

Vitisphere also reports Ivana de La Kethulle’s appointment at the Bordeaux wine trade body, placing it against another sharp decline in commercial volumes.

The volume figure gives the leadership change added urgency. Bordeaux’s marketing response now has to address the scale of the contraction rather than simply refine regional messaging.

Source: Vitisphere Estates and People

CIVB changes marketing leadership below 3 million hl

Ivana de la Kethulle has become marketing director of the CIVB, succeeding Florence Bossard as Bordeaux wine sales fell below 3 million hectoliters in the 2025 to 2026 campaign, according to Bouger à Bordeaux.

The appointment comes at a concrete commercial threshold for the region. The next marketing direction will be judged against Bordeaux’s continuing loss of sales volume.

Source: Bouger à Bordeaux Estates and PeopleThe Crisis

Generali France acquires Château Gombaude-Guillot

Generali France acquired Château Gombaude-Guillot in Pomerol from the Techer family, adding the estate to its Bordeaux portfolio alongside Château La Pointe and Château Croque Michotte, according to Terre de Vins.

The insurer already owns Château La Pointe in Pomerol and Château Croque Michotte in Saint-Émilion. The purchase adds another significant estate transaction to Bordeaux’s current period of financial strain.

Source: Terre de Vins Château Croque MichotteChâteau Gombaude-GuillotChâteau Gombaude-Guillot Generali FranceChâteau La Pointe PomerolSaint-Émilion Estates and PeopleThe Fine Wine Market