“We don’t bite, but be careful, you might still be a little stunned. »
In the heart of Hall 4, not far from a sumptuous space praising the many châteaux of a large Bordeaux wine group, Fabrice Camus and Antony Castaing clash with the “dress-code” level. “Faced with the suits and ties, they put on denim jackets and bermudas. “Chic above, shock below! “says the first Bergerac winemaker. Relaxed atmosphere. Every late morning and early evening, they agree to a cocktail meeting based on monbazillac. “We don’t bite, but be careful, you still risk being a little stunned”, announces their prospectus which is aimed at “all those who are tired of always seeing the same things at trade shows”.
If they came to the capital, it was to promote “Tytris”, a new collaboration between a dozen winegrowers from Périgord who gave birth to two monbazillac cuvées, thanks to the blending of wines from different properties. “We have been working on this project for two years, explains Fabrice Camus, with an advantageous beard. We needed a good start for its launch. And there’s not much better than a living room like this. Objective: “to dust off the image of monbazillac”, that of this sweet wine sometimes associated with “grannies who use a lick of it on a few ladyfingers for a snack”.
After a few hours, visitors inquire but it’s not a rush either. Fabrice Camus does not seem offended: “Even if it is below forecasts, it had to start again. It does everyone a world of good to find each other. »
The “Marmandais” are promoting their new cuvées “Les Bonnes Gueules” and “Notre Tribu”, without pesticide residues.
Jean-Charles Galiacy
A few dozen meters away, the “Marmandais” seem to be at home. Parisian wine merchants have made it their headquarters. “It’s a good start, the appointments are linked”, says Sandra Jofroit, marketing manager of “Marmandais”, which until recently was called “La Cave du Marmandais”. The structure brings together around 90 winegrowers on a thousand hectares in Lot-et-Garonne, who generally cultivate a little-known native grape variety: Abouriou.
With them too, the Covid was long. “Especially for export, adds Sandra, we couldn’t meet our usual customers. The Paris show should make it possible to remedy this and also launch two new brands from the wine cellar which will be distributed from next spring. The bottles sit proudly on displays. “Les Bonnes Gueules” and “Notre Tribu”, displaying the zero pesticide residue label, must support the new name of the associated winegrowers.
David Notteghem, winemaker at Monbazillac, on the “New Wave” stand at Wine & Vinexpo Paris
Jean-Charles Galiacy
In Hall 3, the “New Wave” space welcomes winegrowers who have been established for less than five years. David Notteghem, co-owner of the Combet estate (Bergeracois), returns to Paris. The native of Vendée, who was in finance for many years before being tired of “Excel spreadsheets”, converted to the vineyard. “Before, I knew how to empty the bottles but not overfill them,” he smiles. He had a little taste of Wine & Vinexpo Paris in 2020, exhibiting for half a day. This time, he took advantage of very accessible conditions to stay there for three days. The “Nouvelle Vague” space and a subsidy from its interprofessional organization cost it 450 euros for the rental of its stand. A gift. “This type of show, normally, is very expensive and you have to sell a pack of pins to be profitable,” he explains.