Bernard Farges elected new president of CIVB

Former president of AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur, Bernard Farges, was yesterday elected president of the Bordeaux Wine Bureau (the CIVB), during the association's annual general assembly.

The only proposed candidate, Farges received a unanimous vote save for three blank ballots. His mandate will last until 2016.

Farges, 49, is a winemaker with 95 hectares in the regional Bordeaux appellations, which he vinifies through a local cooperative – a first for a president of the CIVB.

He replaces négociant Georges Haushalter, who has served as president since 2010. Allan Sichel, president of the négociants union, has become CIVB vice-president.

Presidents are elected every three years and alternately chosen from winegrowers and négociants, to reflect the commercial makeup of a region with 7,055 winemakers and 300 négociant companies.

During the presidency of Haushalter, the bulk price of Bordeaux wine has passed from €900 to €1100 per tonneau (900 litres), and exports have risen, notably towards China. ‘But we have failed to consolidate on sales for the heart of Bordeaux’ Haushalter said during the meeting, ‘of wines priced from €2-€6’.

He also pointed out that much remains to be done to help restructure properties that are in economic difficulties – and to continue to press for a political solution for the trade war between China and France.

Since 2012, Farges has also been Vice President of the European Federation of Origin Wines (EFOW), and President of the National Federation of Producers of AOC Wines and Eaux de Vie (CNAOC).

Written by Jane Anson