Aubert De Villaine: Decanter Man of the Year March 1, 2010 Adam Lechmere

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Aubert de Villaine: Decanter Man of the Year March 1, 2010 Adam Lechmere

Decanter's Man of the Year 2010 is Aubert de Villaine, proprietor of one of the world's legendarywine estates.

Stephen Brook reports in the latest issue of Decanter magazine that the owner of Burgundy's Domaine de la Romanee-Conti's 'first impulse was to refuse' the award.

But after 'some arm-twisting' de Villaine (pictured above and below) changed his mind and has now become the firstBurgundian to be named Man ofthe Year.

Brook does not overplayde Villaine's modesty: after all, he makes probablythe most famous – and certainlythe mostexpensive – wine in the world.

'He is notself-effacing,' Brook writes. He gladlyfulfils his role as the public face of the domaine,and his humilityrather lies in his insistence on the facthe is merelythe custodian of the estate. Latest issue Subscribe It took de Villaine some years to decide he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps Renew online and take over the Domaine. As a young man he studied literature and law and Shopping directory Buy Decanter: worked in New York for Burgundy importers the Wildman family. • In the UK He even worked as a journalist, interviewing the then-unknown Robert Mondavi in • In the US 1966. • Find your nearest UK newsagent It was around that time thathis father took him on as an apprentice atthe domaine, co-owned,as it still is,bythe de Villaine and Leroyfamilies. Advertisements 'In 1964 I found myself pruning vines, driving tractors, sweeping the courtyard, racking the barrels…'

Now he also makes wines with Domaine Dujac in Provence, and under the HdV Poll label with his cousin by marriage Larry Hyde in Carneros, Napa, as well as wine under his own name in 'the most modest' of appellations, Aligote de Bouzeron. Is Pinot Noir the greatest grape In a wide-ranging interview, which covers everything from the sometimes mediocre variety? reviews of DRC to the 'falling out' between de Villaine and Lalou Bize-Leroy, de variety? reviews of DRC to the 'falling out' between de Villaine and Lalou Bize-Leroy, de Villaine demonstrates his dedication to his customers, both wealthyand otherwise, nmlkj Absolutely – at a time when 'we could double the price of our Montrachet or La Tache and we nothing can match would still sell out.' its haunting beauty Free Newsletters But,as he says,'We wantatleastsome ofour wines to be affordable to lovers of nmlkj At its best, yes, great Burgundy.' Keep up to date with but there’s a lot of our FREE daily news The choice of de Villaine for Man of the Year, Brook says, is 'surelyuncontroversial'. dross alerts and monthly nmlkj newsletters including No, Cabernet is decantertrade 'It is not onlyhis achievement at the Domaine.. but his complete integrity, and his King – think where willingness to involve himself in the wider community. we’d be without it nmlkj Shopping Mall 'If the domaine's wines unavoidablyslot into an elitist niche, de Villaine himself It’s impossible to refuses to playthe elitist game, and eagerlyassociates himself with other choose just one Burgundian producers, celebrated or obscure.' Retailers send UK and Europe Worldwide Shopping To comment on this Property month's poll email Recruitment [email protected] Books Accessories & Gifts Storage & Refrigeration Tourism Burgundy 2008 En Primeur Vintage report and Learning Route online ordering. Free tasting kit from the UK Links Burgundy Wine courses Decanter Men (and Women) of the Year 1984-2009 specialists. Wine clubs www.BancroftWines.com The basics 2009 Nicolas Catena - Mendoza, Argentina Wine terminology - 2008 Christian Moueix - Pomerol grapes 2007 Anthony Barton - Bordeaux 800+ great How do theytaste? 2006 Marcel Guigal - Rhône spanish wines 2005 Ernst Loosen - Mosel Glossary Rioja, Ribera del 2004 Brian Croser - Adelaide Hills Wine Investment 2003 Jean-Michel Cazes - Bordeaux Duero, Cava... 2002 Miguel Torres - Penedès Best deal online 2001 Jean-Claude Rouzaud - Champagne Features by the case of 6 2000 Paul Draper - California www.wine-source.com 2009 Harvest 1999 Jancis Robinson MW - London 1998 Angelo Gaja - Piedmont reports 1997 Len Evans, OBE AO -Australia Burgundy 2007 Taste the 1996 Georg Riedel - Austria Bordeaux 2009 Bordeaux 2008 1995 Hugh Johnson - London Book reviews 1994 May-Eliane de Lencquesaing - Bordeaux Tour and taste the Am I a great 1993 Michael Broadbent - London First Growths vintage? 1992 André Tchelistcheff - California Chateau Stay, Bordeaux En 1991 José Ignacio Domecq - Jerez Great Wine Food Primeur 1990 Prof Emile Peynaud - Bordeaux 1989 Robert Mondavi - California & Fun Other Features www.bxwinex.com/wine_tours.htm Events reports 1988 Max Schubert - Australia 1987 Alexis Lichine - Bordeaux Events slideshows 1986 Marchese Piero Antinori - Florence Decanter 1985 Laura and Corinne Mentzelopoulos - Bordeaux Wine & Santa contributors 1984 Serge Hochar - Lebanon Barbara contributors 1984 Serge Hochar - Lebanon Barbara Go great together: Read the full feature in Decanter magazine, April 2010 issue, on sale Wednesday 3 Sip, Dine, Relax March, or subscribe now Fine hotels and Follow us on Twitter wine tasting deals www.sbhotels.com Have your say... To post your comment on this story, email us at [email protected] Members Log in For the facts about Username alcohol Drinkaware.co.uk Click here for FREE decanter.com news alerts Register on decanter.com absolutely free for news alerts delivered direct to Password your email inbox, and our fortnightly newsletter with advance notice of what’s Go coming up in Decanter magazine, offers, competitions and more. gfedc keep me signed in unless I sign out PLUS registration is a one-stop shop for the Decanter magazine Archive and Decanter Fine Wine Tracker. Register free Forgot password?

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