Fascinating figure of the wine business, Michel Chapoutier encourages innovation to the Maison Chapoutier, well-known family business in the wine industry from now seven generations.

He succeeds as a godfather to Michel Rolland and Pierre Castel.

The company encompasses 4 wineries, 2 trade companies and 2 vineyard companies. Currently I’m Marketing Manager Wine portfolio for the domestic market. My most important priority is launching the wines from our new winery Katarzyna Estate and further developing of other wine brands of the group.

After the EU accession of Bulgaria, the country is very attractive for many foreign wine brands as well. Due to the great establish distribution network our company possesses in Bulgaria, we have started to import some of the best wines from all over the world.

Because of my long experience in the wine field and my previous education as an enologist, I’m in charge with this also. And because the wine world is so exciting, I’m writing some article in maybe the best wine magazine in Bulgaria : Bacchus… what else !

My future plans? Consulting marketing & export company… and why not a wine TV show in Bulgaria !

A votre santé !

On February 5th, students from the Wine Institute traveled to Cognac, a historic town located some 80 miles north of Bordeaux.

The day began with a visit to the International Center for Spirits and Liqueurs. Mr Stéphane Dathané, the director of the center, welcomed the students and gave a conference on « Marketing Spirits ». The conference was followed by an entertaining, and very instructive, blind tasting of various liqueurs.

After lunch in the town center, students went to visit CAMUS Cognac, a company that has been operated by five generations of the Camus family. Founded 150 years ago, CAMUS Cognac remains faithful to its core values : tradition, quality, independence and innovation.

The guided tour and the tasting proved a big success and were an enlightening introduction to a cognac renowned the world over. Cyril Camus, the company director, later invited the students to a conference on luxury brands in the spirits sector.
 

pictures copyright : Peng Wang

The day began with a visit to Château Kirwan.

Kirwan, an AOC Margaux, was designated Grand Cru Classé in the official classification of 1855. Students had the opportunity to appreciate the quality of this wine at a tasting. The visit was followed by a conference on the theme « Terroir and Grands Crus Classés ».

After a delicious meal at Café Lavinal in Pauillac, students went on to Château Lynch-Bages. The afternoon included a visit to the winery and a tasting of several renowned vintages. A highly informative conference on « Doing Business in Grands Crus Classés » ended the day.

On October 17, students enrolled in Wine Marketing & Management went on a wine-tasting trip with the renowned expert, Franck Dubourdieu.

Their first visit was to Château Lusseau (Graves). After the wine-tasting, Mr. Dubourdieu gave a very informative conference on the term “terroir” and its importance in the wine industry. 

The students then had lunch with Mr Dubourdieu who continued to talk to them about his passion for wine. Afterwards the group travelled to Domaine de Chevalier, where they visited the admirably restored buildings and the magnificent fermenting room. The crowning moment of the day was the tasting of the Chateau Chevalier Grand Cru Classé (Graves).

The students of the Master Wine Marketing and Management began the year by harvesting, visiting and tasting in St Emilion. The day was organized in partnership with the Association des Grands Crus Classés in Saint Emilion.

Welcomed at  Château Larmande, the students participated actively in harvesting the grapes during the morning. A visit to the wine warehouse was then organized, followed by a well-deserved lunch.

The students were then received by Alain Moueix, at Château Fonroque, for a visit whose theme was biodynamics. Mr. Moueix was one of the first to adopt this technique in St. Emilion.

Finally the students visited Château Fonplegade, discovered its completely restored installations, and ended this day by a wine tasting.