PARIS - The Internet changed the meaning of mail, transformed retail shopping and travel, and now one wine retailer believes it can break down the barrier between French wine enthusiasts and new world producers.

Internet wine retail site www.1855.com organized what many considered to be a small revolution last week when it gathered some 350 oenophiles from across France to compare the offerings of the 30 biggest wine producers around the world.

One of the biggest online wine traders in France — 1855.com’s name refers to the 1855 classification of the big Bordeaux houses — but is happy to sell Bordeaux next to Chilean Cabernet and Napa Valley wine alongside the best of Burgundy.

“We have always had the vision to build the largest choice of wines of the world. And in the fine wine world as in painting, writing or any other artistic dimension you find such fine wines in all countries,” 1855.com co-founder Emeric Sauty de Chalon told Reuters.

Chalon and university chum Thierry Maincent created the firm in 1995. Now in their early 30s, they are intent on creating the world’s number one distributor of fine wines.

The site offers the great classic Bordeaux and Burgundy vintages — a 1986 Chateau Beychevelle for some 150 euros ($234.4) or a Gevrey Chambertin 2004 at 260 euros — or the chance to buy futures in the 2007 Bordeaux vintage.

Its best-selling wine, however, is a Finca Sobreno Toro Crianza 2004 from Rioja, Spain, for less than 10 euros, followed by 10 French wines and champagnes.

At number 12 is a Escudo Rojo 2005 from Chile, for 11.50 euros per bottle and at number 15 is the Concha Y Toro Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, both from the Maipo Valley.

Emeric has had a passion for wine since his father handed over the keys to a cellar on his 18th birthday, giving him and Thiery access to such classic vintages as Chateau Latour 1961 or Giscours 1970.

NEW WINES REVENUES GROWING FAST

Chalon said Internet sales of fine wines were growing fast in the same way as music, travel, books and electronic goods did seven years ago. The average price per bottle is 30 euros and the average revenue per client is 1,200 euros per year.

“New wine countries revenue is growing at more than 35 percent per year at 1855,” Chalon said.

1855.com says it has the largest selection available to private clients in the world, with 25,000 references.

But it is far from alone on the market and competes with www.millesima.com, www.chateauclassic.com, www.lavinia.fr or www.winesoftheworld.co.uk to name just a few.

Data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine world wine body showed that the share in the world export market for southern hemisphere countries — Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand — rose to 28 percent in 2007 from 3.1 percent two decades ago.

The five leading European export countries — Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain — saw their market share in the world trade decline to 61.8 percent in from 78.8 percent.

At the tasting, producers proudly poured their wines to an appreciative and sometimes dubious audience.

“Our main market is the United Kingdom,” said Ryan Morgan of the Rathbone Wine Group in Australia who had a Mount Langi Billi Billi Creek Shiraz and a Parker Estate “Terra Rossa” open.

“But we do sell a few thousand bottles a year to France. People travel nowadays and are more open to wines from other countries. Even in a country with good wines itself,” he added.

Thomas Klinger from the Bruendlmayer vineyard in Austria poured a Gruner Veltliner Kamptal 2006 white wine and said that when France calls, the wine producer answers.

“We mainly sell in Austria, export to Germany and a bit to Belgium. But when France invites you to participate in a tasting, you take the car and come,” he said.