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Victoire Desvigne
Area Sales Manager - South East Asia

Upon your arrival, what was your first impression of the B&G brand image?
The first time I was really introduced to B&G was when I was told I would help Philippe Marion on the B&G booth at the Hong Kong Vinexpo in May 2014, shortly after I found it on the Top 50 wines of the world in Drinks magazine online! I was very excited yet nervous to represent a brand with so much history! I immediately loved the modern feel of the labels, especially how they elegantly stood out from other packaging I was used to seeing.

How is that brand-image of B&G today?
Stronger as time goes by. When you go to countries such as the Philippines or Thailand or even Myanmar, and clients tell you how their parents used to drink B&G, or that is one of the oldest and first French brands on the market, or even the top selling brand (in Myanmar), it only makes you prouder by the minute to be able to work for such a group.
I was also able to go to Chateau Magnol to take part in the training, and the way they teach you about the wine and the food pairing at the Academy just showed me how easy the wines are to understand and pair, and how much the wine complements and enhances your culinary experience, when paired correctly of course. B&G is more than just a brand or a company, it's a family of people who love what they do and want to share it to the world.

Where do you see the most possibilities of development?
South East Asia is a very diverse area. Each country has a different heritage, culture, and wine consumption preferences. Although wine knowledge and interest is increasing, the mass market tends to look for and buy what they like and know they like. The advantage with B&G is that we have a strong brand image and our packaging stands out. The wines are easy to drink and easy to understand, therefore well suited for novice to amateur drinkers. We are already well implemented in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar, which are continuously evolving. The next interesting countries to develop will be Cambodia, as it is quickly growing, followed by Laos.

What has been your biggest satisfaction so far?
To be able to work with a team that is as reactive and always opens to new ideas is amazing. Even miles away you can always feel the energy, whether from the teams or our clients. One of my biggest satisfactions is when clients come back from their time in Chateau Magnol, telling me how amazing it was, and how the teams were all so nice and that the food, the wine and the whole experience was incredible. Thanking us and promising to their best to promote B&G. They talk about B&G with so much pride it is very rewarding and motivating.

What is your best travel souvenir? And the worst?
I don't remember when traveling wasn't part of my life so it's hard to find a best one. The best of every trip is meeting people from so many different aspects of life, age, culture, history, you learn so much every time it becomes a drug to want to learn more. I never get sick of traveling and love being on a plane because I know I'm going somewhere else and will eat different foods. I guess one of my "worst" experiences is one I laugh about now, but was when I got talked into eating an egg after a lot of wine with prospects, which happened to be a fetus. But language barriers happened and I hadn't understood exactly until I saw half way through the egg...

A favourite market?
I love all my markets for different reasons; Thailand and Vietnam has really good food! The Philippines has so many islands to discover. But I would say my favourite ones are the ones I know the least like Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.

What is your favourite B&G wine?
By far the Thomas Barton Reserve Privée 2009. Very powerful Medoc, with a full body and lots of character. I love the spicy notes and velvety tannins of this vintage.

Victoire officially started with Barton & Guestier in October 2014 as South East Asia Manager in charge of Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
A recent business school graduate, she did her last university semester in Singapore before going to Shanghai for her end of the year internship as Brand Ambassador for the Castel Group in China.
Her main passions are sports and food, regularly practicing cross-fit activities, boxing, diving, squash, along with discovering new types of cuisine and wines from all around the world.