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Edouard THOUVENOT
Export Manager Canada, Scandinavia, UK, Switzerland

Upon your arrival, what was your first impression of the B&G brand image?
My impression was not new when I arrived in June. I have been in contact many times with B&G products during trips either in Ireland, Scandinavia or in the Baltics. B&G has always been a very active brand, modern and turned to the consumer.
Nevertheless I never realised before my arrival, how extended the range is, from entry level table wines to premium, and covering most of the French appellations.
Upon my arrival, I have been impressed with the quality of the wines, at every level of the range.

How is that brand-image of B&G today?
In between tradition and modernity, B&G offers a wide range of quality wines that stick to the modern consumer and taste. Deeply rooted in the history of the Bordeaux wine merchants, B& G has always made it s own revolution to adapt the products and wines to the needs of the consumers, with a serious winemaking. Small among giant producers B&G remains an important actor on the export markets.

Where do you see the most possibilities of development?
I see a great potential in Canada. It will be a long term work and an omni-presence on the market.

What has been your biggest satisfaction so far?
To work alongside with motivated and committed people. There is a kind of happiness at work at B&G.
The environment of work is very important for me as well. Having an office at Château Magnol, with the surrounding nature and at a throw of stone from city center is a real luxury.

What is your best travel souvenir? And the worst?
Travelling is always an accumulation of experiences, happiness, and sometimes unhappy moments as delays, cancellations... I always try to keep the good. Among the good souvenirs, I will always keep in mind the Chilean vineyards, my landing in Bora Bora, the Baltics, Norvegians fjords...

A favourite market?
No favourite market for me. They are all different. All with a different challenge.

What is your favourite B&G wine?
Héritage 290, because this wine shows at the same time the ancestral skill of the negociants to blend quality wines, a very modern touch and a bit of arrogance. It is a kind of show case of the company, the same way that a champagne house is showing its style with the non vintage blend, real identity card of the house.

Quick resume:
After 6 years with Champagne Pommery ( Lvmh time) on the French market, at the head of the customer department and then Duty Free and Scandinavia Manager, Edouard moved to Bordeaux in 2001 to join Baron Philippe de Rothschild company. Successively in charge the Scandinavian markets, Germany and UK/Ireland, he quitted BPhR, after 9 years to run his own business, a start up company in the cosmetics industry, with an innovative and sustainable range. After almost 6 years and a rapid growth, Edouard sold his shares to an international group, and decided to come back to the wine business. He joined Barton & Guestier in June 2016.