Definition: VDCPE

Wines from Various Countries of the European Community, which is the lowest classification for a wine. According to Onivins, sales of VDCPE wines in supermarkets fell by 13% in value and volume in 2000. VDPCE wines sold by large retailers represent a volume of 1.127 million hectolitres, of which 67% is red, 20% white and 13% rosé. The red wine category saw the sharpest decline in sales (-16%), followed by white wine, which fell by a smaller margin (-9%), with equivalent figures in terms of volume and value. Only rosé VDCPE maintained a strong position, with a slight increase in sales: +4% in volume and +5% in value. In addition, it gained 2% market share. VDPCE wines are mainly sold in cubitainers (31%), disposable glass bottles (19%), 75cl disposable glass bottles (18%) and plastic bottles (15%), with the remainder in cartons and returnable bottles. The decline in sales mainly concerns returnable litre containers (-36% in volume and value); a decrease of just 10% is observed for bag-in-box containers; it is 12% for 75cl non-returnable glass bottles. The average price per litre has changed little: it remains at around €1.11/litre. This price varies according to the packaging: from €0.88/litre for bag-in-box packaging to €1.44/litre for 75cl non-returnable glass bottles (BVP 75cl). It should be noted that this price is lower than the average price of French table wines (€1.85/litre for BVP 75cl) but still well above that of VDT wines from the Aude and Hérault regions (between €0.95 and €1.02/litre for BVP 75cl). Faced with discontent among French winegrowers, some supermarkets have decided to stop selling VDCPE wines. According to Revue Vinicole Internationale, Intermarché is expected to replace VDPCE bag-in-box wines with Italian and Spanish wines and VDCPE loose-bottle wines with French table wines in the near future.