No country is more deeply associated both culturally and internationally with wine than France. A place whose bottles are discussed, sought after and championed wherever wine is drunk. You might imagine it, then, to be a wine nation somewhat stuck in its ways, cleaving cautiously to established traditions.
Not according to Florence Fagan, France portfolio manager for Fells: “France is probably not the place that people think of first when they’re looking for new, exciting innovation. But I would say the reverse is true, looking at just some of what our producers are coming up with this year.”
Fells' Florence Fagan says the importer is going through a "French revolution" in terms of the number of new French producers it is working with
Cast an eye over Fells’ French contingent and you’ll spot some of the most globally revered brands in each of their respective regions – alongside wine producers whose wines are amongst the most beloved by industry insiders. The likes of Guigal and Hugel; standard bearers in the Rhône and Alsace respectively, as well as cult favourite Champagne Henriot and the Loire’s Domaine de Ladoucette.
But when it comes to developing its French range, Fells is just getting started, claims Fagan: “In 2025 we were joined by the Burgundian powerhouse of Maison Louis Latour, alongside their sister brand who they own, Chablis specialists Simonnet-Febvre. And that’s following on from Mâconnais specialists Joseph Burrier joining us at the start of the year.”
She adds: “It’s an incredible collective addition to the portfolio because it allows Fells to offer the whole depth and breadth of Burgundy. Everything you could possibly imagine, from the Côte de Nuits, right down through Louis Latour’s home on the hill of Corton, the Côte de Beaune and the whole region, into Beaujolais.”
“And it’s not only Burgundy, because Louis Latour also makes stunning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in its winery in the Ardèche. Alongside its classic Chablis Villages and Premier and Grand Crus, Simonnet-Febvre has a range of Crémant de Bourgogne, a category in huge growth in the UK this year. It’s amazing to be able to offer our customers that kind of depth as well as breadth.”
French revolution
Maison Louis Latour is now part of Fells' French portfolio and will be showing its Burgundy 2024 en primeur vintage wines at a London tasting on January 13
Fagan says it all adds up to “a French revolution” in the Fells portfolio, with at least one iconic brand already in line to join the distributor in 2026.
“The exciting news is that from March we are taking on Clarendelle, which is part of Clarence Dillon, who own Châteaux Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion,” she says.
“Three wines from Clarendelle – the Bordeaux red, white and rosé – are effectively the third wines of Château Haut-Brion. It’s quite unusual for an importer to be able to have that link to those top Bordeaux houses given how things work in Bordeaux with La Place. But we will have exclusivity in the UK market for the three Clarendelles and we are going to be first in the world to launch the 2019 red, which was an absolutely fantastic vintage.”
And there’s even more in store for Bordeaux-loving Fells customers. “We’re also very lucky in being given access to some back-vintage parcels from the top wines at the châteaux – Haut Brion and La Mission.”
Fagan keeps her cards close when pressed for more details – watch this space in March – but she says customers can look forward to “some mouthwatering well-aged vintages from some of the world’s truly iconic Bordeaux châteaux”.
She believes it is Fells’ reputation for developing a “bespoke” strategy for each of its agencies and brands, and a particular affinity with premium, family-owned wineries, that led to Fells being approached by Maison Louis Latour directly.
“We’re trying to look and see where we have gaps,” says Fagan, “to be able to bolster our offering. Not only within regions, but also in terms of the price points you can have in France. From those Vins de France where you can find some exceptional quality at incredible price points, right up to the icons we all know and love and wish we can get our hands on.”
Where next?
Anything particular on Fagan’s shopping list?
“Something from Provence – we don’t have it currently. But we’re always on the lookout for new and exciting things to add,” she says.
Fells won’t just be jumping in for any brand though. Only those that fit that Fells ethos of premium, family-owned producers and, most importantly, nestle comfortably beside the household names already gracing their lineup, stresses Fagan.
The Fells team also works hard to make sure is very little regional overlap so that it can ensure its partners a “bespoke approach and a clear market plan for each producer”. It is though open to exceptions, like with its expanded Burgundy lineup, when the right opportunities arise.
“There will hopefully be some more new additions in the future,” says Fagan says, “and the current additions are part of what we’re trying to do – be able to round out our offering so there really is something for everyone – and for every sector as well. Because having that channel strategy not only within the portfolio more broadly, but also within each brand, is also really important.”
Fagan is also keen to talk about the year ahead for the stalwart brands already housed under the Fells umbrella.
Fells is excited to be helping Guigal introduce its latest LaLa's wines to UK customers
“Guigal is launching its fourth LaLa wine this year, which is huge news,” she says. “Hugel just last year released its first Crémant d’Alsace – a vintage – and this year it is releasing its first non-vintage. There’s also some very exciting vintage releases coming from Henriot. We’re just about to offer Louis Latour en primeur for the first time in the UK; we’re holding a tasting in January, offering a broad array of their primeurs and existing vintages.”
Fagan’s in-tray is now so full that Fells has hired a second brand manager for France, Hilary Nobbs, to help manage its growing stable. But a glance at the names and wines on its list already, as well as those about to fall under the Fells umbrella, suggests that it’s worth the hard work.
- The Maison Louis Latour and Simonnet-Febvre 2024 vintage Burgundy en primeur tasting takes place on January 13 at Clarence & St James’ Room, Claridges Hotel, Brook Street, London, W1K 4HR between 10am and 4pm. To register email florence.fagan@fells.co.uk.
- To find out more about Fells’ French portfolio go to its website here. Fells is a commercial partner of The Buyer.
