The wine forecasters

This morning at Château d’Arsac, Denis Dubourdieu feels like at home. But he is there as a consultant running the commercial operations. This well-known oenologist and experienced teacher and researcher is also a “wine maker”. He and his team support about forty producers to get out the best of their grape-vines. “They are like architects, they have the final vision”, explains the proprietor of Château d’Arsac, Philippe Raoux.

Just like Michel Rolland, the chief of this line of wine forecasters. Today they are about twenty consultants in the region of Bordeaux providing their scientifical knowledge to the winemakers. Advice that can be worth up to 50,000 euros! But nothing stops the desirous proprietors of selling their wine at all costs, certain « wine maker » names such as Michel Rolland, Denis Dubourdieu or Stéphane Derencourt, play the role of the export guarantee. « The tradespeople know not to do any stupidity », adds Philippe Raoux.

This American couple has also got it. Derek Egan and Kathleen Grace Evans are about to buy 12 hectares of grape-vines in Saint-Emilion. “They know much of the world and especially Robert Parker, this is very important for exports!”

This “multiple-risk guarantees” have such an influence on the sales, that the forerunner Philippe Raoux has had the brilliant idea of launching a “wine maker collection”: each year Château d’Arsac invites one of this grape-popes to carry out “the wine of his dreams” from A to Z on the grounds of Margaux. The first edition dedicated to Michel Rolland has been a success and the second, the work of Denis Dubourdieu, already is very expected.

2006, October 18 - © Libération

Other information :
• Margaux
• Bordeaux
• Château D’Arsac