History
The roots
I was fortunate to have parents who were curious and preferred to spend what little they earned on travel: discovering distant countries and different cultures.
So, from the age of twelve, I was exposed to these different cultures and also to travelling ‘on the fly’ in Middle Eastern and Asian countries as a backpacker. I already felt drawn to Asia, especially China. A long stay in Beijing in 2002 almost made me change my mind about my choice of studies. I also visited Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Mongolia.
A few years later, after a trip to the Middle East, including so-called ‘risky’ countries such as Syria and Yemen, it was time for… Iceland! So it’s no coincidence that I live in Hong Kong today.
The initiation
My mother was a teacher who passed on her passion for teaching to me, and my father became a late-blooming owner and merchant in Burgundy. In order to sell his wine, he had the idea of selling it in the old paper and antique shops of Paris. There, I was exposed to a clientele who loved beauty and therefore ate and drank well. These were fascinating people who were passionate about assignats, books from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment – including volumes of Diderot’s Encyclopédie – as well as philatelists and other collectors of banknotes, silverware, crystal glasses, furniture and Art Nouveau and Art Deco lamps
, paintings, bronzes, etc. I helped my father on weekday evenings and weekends at his stand, serving glasses of Burgundy Grands Crus and selling
his wines. In short, it was a fantastic world that unfortunately no longer exists today…
Hong kong
When I arrived in Hong Kong (香港), I gave myself a year to explore opportunities. I taught French to pay my bills and spent my free time organising wine tastings. At the time, Asia was living to the rhythm of Bordeaux wines, but sensing a shift towards Burgundy, I had the idea of importing wines other than my father’s. With the advice of Bernard Clerc, a winemaker in Puligny-Montrachet, I discovered the wines of Benoit Ente. Thus was born Burgundy Wine Company Ltd, dedicated to representing Burgundian craftsmanship in Hong Kong and China.
My mission: to become the link between Burgundy, Hong Kong and China, promoting the expertise of winemakers. Through tastings, masterclasses and dinners, I work to promote their wines and offer them international recognition among Asian enthusiasts and collectors.
Vine grower!
Living between two continents can sometimes be challenging, torn between the desire to understand the winemaker’s craft and the desire to pass it on. The opportunity to finally learn the basics of viticulture arose with the arrival of Covid in January 2020. Stuck in France, I took advantage of this break to work full-time in the vineyards at the Jules Desjourneys estate. From winter to summer, I learned how to prune, remove suckers, debud, tie, top, transplant, apply compost and handle the plough. This immersion in the daily life of a winemaker was a real revelation, marking a turning point in my career.
Grand dinners
Lunches are a real culture in Hong Kong. Indeed, the ‘HK mindset’ is such that whoever we are, even the most important businessman will be available to have lunch with you within a fortnight. Lunch is therefore a way to network and develop new relationships as well as maintain existing ones. This allows me to review my individual clients as accurately as possible. There is always a bottle (or even two) of white wine and the same for red wine. Lunches take place either in Chinese restaurants or French restaurants.
Dinners are relatively similar to lunches, except that they take place in the evening. An example.
Master class
The masterclass takes place in a well-lit private room measuring around 30 square metres, with one or two large tables seating 12 to 18 participants. An overhead projector and screen are used to illustrate the day’s theme with a PowerPoint presentation designed for the occasion. Each session focuses on a specific subject, such as the Chambertins. We explore their history, anecdotes, geology and the origin of their names – Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Chapelle-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, Mazoyères-Chambertin – while tasting the corresponding wines.
The approach is interactive: photos of the plots, portraits of winegrowers, work in the vineyard or in the cellar enrich the discovery. Participants then perceive the subtle differences between these neighbouring Grands Crus, the true magic of Burgundy. Depending on the theme, different vintages from the same producer are compared, or an identical vintage from several estates is compared to reveal styles and visions. Sheets are provided for taking notes.
The estates
Domaine Arnaud Ente
The Arnaud Ente Estate, established in Meursault since 1992, has established itself as a global benchmark. Known for its rigour, high standards and respect for living things, it embodies a style of winemaking that is responsible, precise and deeply authentic.. … /…
Domaine Jules Desjourneys
Driven by Fabien Duperray’s vision, Domaine Jules Desjourneys produces Beaujolais and Mâconnais wines of rare intensity, crafted with the utmost care. Each cuvée expresses the purity of the terroir and a deep emotion. … /…
Domaine Pierre Damoy
The Domaine Pierre Damoy, located in Gevrey-Chambertin, is one of Burgundy’s most remarkable wine estates. Its uniqueness lies in its extensive heritage of Grands Crus and its demanding cultivation methods, inspired by respect for the soil and the vines. … /…
Domaine Éric Morgat
The Domaine Éric Morgat, founded in 1995 in Savennières, represents a bold break with the family’s past. A visionary, Morgat has made Chenin his unique language, revealing the power and depth of the great schist terroirs of Anjou. … /…
Domaine Bernard Bonin
The Bernard-Bonin estate, located in Meursault, has established itself as a benchmark for authenticity and precision. Since 1998, Véronique Bonin and Nicolas Bernard have been practising demanding biodynamic viticulture, aiming to reveal the soul of the terroirs through a holistic and minimalist approach. … /…
Domaine Comtesse de Chérisey
Laurent Martelet embodies high-quality winemaking based on proximity to the vines, agronomy and integrity. Authentic Burgundian classicism, sought-after autonomy, respect for the terroir and nature, expressive wines that convey a message about their place of origin.