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Jonathan LAMENT
B&G Area Sales Manager - South Asia & Oceania

Upon your arrival, what was your first impression of the B&G brand image?
Before starting for B&G, I worked in the wine industry for over three and half years here in the Asia Pacific region, so I had been exposed to B&G products for quite some time. For me their unique range of products represents the 'know-how' and tradition of France, an image I've always admired, and yet the sleek, elegant, and customer friendly packaging shows that even with a 290 year history they are still young and trendy.

How is that brand-image of B&G today?
My vision of B&G wines has not changed since I started to work for B&G. I'm lucky to know the people behind the brand who have made and continue to make B&G everyday. As part of my training I had the chance to spend four days in the beautiful setting of Chateau Magnol to follow the B&G Food & Wine Academy.
That week was influential in the process of understanding the history of the brand, tasting the products with the winemakers, and follow the courses with Solange. Experiencing the history of B&G directly, within the walls of Chateau Magnol, allows me to share the vision and the history of B&G everyday.
I wish every wine lover had the chance to spend time at Chateau Magnol.

Where do you see the most possibilities of development?
South Asia and Oceania are great areas, one of the most dynamic in the world, and with countries that have the highest GDP growth in the past decades. This region is fascinating with a mix of cultures, people, and diversity in terms of wine consumption and knowledge. Singapore is one of the most sophisticated wine markets open to the world, Indonesia is one of the fastest growing countries in terms of wine consumption, and, of course, Australia and New Zealand have amazing domestic wine production which are opening more and more to the world.
So a variety of possibilities are everywhere which makes this area fascinating.

What has been your biggest satisfaction so far?
To be really honest, it has been satisfying everyday since I started to work for B&G.
It is such a pleasure to work with competent and qualified people, learning from them and being part of this adventure. However, the best part is to see people's reaction when they are tasting our wines for the first time, especially the smile that always follows the first sip.

What is your best travel souvenir? And the worst?
I am lucky to have travelled since I was a child. Every trip is a different journey and that is the beauty of it. When you jump in the plane and arrive in a new country, you never know who you will meet and what will happen.
Worst experiences often become the best souvenir so there is not really bad experiences that haven't made me laugh or taught me something. My favourite travel souvenir is from my time in New York, I had no idea at the time that I would find my future wife.

A favourite market?
A really difficult question! Every single one of my markets is different and I love them all for that. I really appreciate mature markets where you meet people who are wine educated, but on the other side, teaching people who are wine beginners and are interested to know more is intriguing too.

What is your favourite B&G wine?
If you had asked me this question last week I would have most certainly said Chateau Magnol for its character, amazing fruit aromas, and long soft finish, but a few days ago I tasted an old vintage Thomas Barton Reserve Privée and it was simply amazing; tertiary aromas, hints of tobacco and plume, wonderful.

Jonathan started with Barton & Guestier in November 2014 as South Asia & Oceania Manager based in Singapore and in charge of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Oceania.
He previously worked for a marketing representative company in the wine industry in charge of Asia Pacific.
He discovered wine during a 7 month internship in Cambodia for his business school and decided after graduating from university to do a 1 year wine course in Dijon.
Jonathan's main passion is sports which he enjoys practicing regularly (rugby, golf, ski, scuba diving) and he is an epicurean who loves to discover new cuisines and Terroir.