Franck Leroy has been unanimously elected as the chairman of the Assembly of European Wine Regions (AREV) during an extraordinary general meeting on March 18. His two-year tenure marks a new chapter for the organization as it navigates key challenges facing the European wine industry.
Leroy, who currently serves as chairman of the Grand Est region in eastern France, was the sole candidate for the position. He succeeds Emiliano García Pagès, chairman of the Castilla La Mancha region, who opted not to seek a fourth term. Initially, former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and current Grand Est regional councillor Anne Sander was in the running, but she withdrew her candidacy after being appointed inspector of the General Food, Agriculture, and Rural Area Council by the French Ministry of Agriculture on February 11.
The AREV faces a range of pressing issues, from potential U.S. tariffs of up to 200% on EU products to ongoing discussions surrounding the European Union’s next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). A statement from the organization outlined key areas of focus, including climate change adaptation, input reduction, market restructuring, increased international competition, and shifting consumer trends. The statement further emphasized that Leroy’s election reaffirms the Grand Est region’s commitment to addressing critical European challenges while fostering a dynamic, sustainable, and innovative wine industry.
This commitment also extends to financial investment. On November 14, 2024, the Grand Est regional council approved a wine industry contract for 2024-2027, including a €12,000 membership contribution to AREV. While the Grand Est region is home to the renowned Alsace, Champagne, and Lorraine wine-producing areas, Leroy has a particularly strong connection to Champagne, having served as mayor of Épernay—home to the famous Avenue de Champagne—from 2000 to 2023.
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