How E-Mart Became the Only Korean Supermarket with Three Prestigious French Wine Titles

Park Hyun | 2026.03.10

  Go Ara, Emart’s wine buyer (center), receiving the Commanderie honor from France’s Médoc region last month. [Provided by Emart]
  Go Ara, Emart’s wine buyer (center), receiving the Commanderie honor from France’s Médoc region last month. [Provided by Emart]

Emart has produced the latest recipient of the Médoc region’s prestigious knighthood, the Commanderie. That achievement makes Emart the only major South Korean retailer to hold top wine honors from three iconic French regions—Médoc, Saint-Émilion and Champagne.

Emart said on March 10 that Go Ara, a wine buyer on its alcohol team, was awarded the Commanderie du Bontemps at last month’s Vinexpo in Paris.

She earned the honor in recognition of her work expanding Emart’s premium French wine lineup and boosting Bordeaux sales—efforts that helped grow South Korea’s market for French wines.

The Commanderie is a knighthood granted annually by the Médoc wine community to individuals who have contributed to the global wine industry. It’s regarded as one of the most prestigious distinctions in French wine circles.

With the Commanderie added to Emart’s existing honors—the Jurade from Saint-Émilion and the Chevalier from Champagne—the retailer now uniquely holds official recognition from three of France’s leading wine regions. Industry observers see this as validation of Emart’s role in widening domestic interest in French wines.

France is Emart’s largest source for wine, accounting for about 25% of its wine sales. Last year alone, Emart sold roughly 1.2 million bottles of French wine.

Emart continues to expand the wine scene in Korea through its flagship event, the “Wine Market.” Wine sales at Emart rose about 10% year-over-year last year, and the Wine Market has recorded steady growth for three consecutive years since 2023.

To celebrate the Commanderie honor, Emart will run discounts on premium French wines. From March 13–15, shoppers who earn Shinsegae Points can get roughly 35% off Château Pichon Longueville Baron 21 (750ml) and about 25% off Château Haut-Brion 21 (750ml).

“I’ve worked to introduce a wide range of French wines to Korean customers,” Go Ara said. “We’ll keep bringing outstanding wines from Bordeaux and beyond to help the market keep growing.”