New president for Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux

Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier and Financière Bernard, is the new president of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux.

He succeeds Sylvie Cazes who has completed her four year term for the organisation which represents grand cru winegrowers in Bordeaux.

The UGCB says Cazes increased the number of tastings abroad with members and innovated by introducing such new markets as Brazil and India. She also focused her attention directly on consumers.

It says thanks to Cazes' impetus, the Week-end des Grands Crus now attracts 1,800 wine enthusiasts from around the world to Bordeaux, and the number of events organised abroad in conjunction with wine importers and distributors has increased significantly.

The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux offers its 134 members the opportunity to take part in more than 80 international events a year, attended by some 35,000 trade professionals and journalists as well as 11,000 consumers.

Bernard who is a well known figure from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, said: “At a time when the success of the Bordeaux great growths calls for a strong involvement from their owners, I am honoured and highly motivated to take on this new responsibility and devote a great deal of energy to it.

“I intend to work closely with the union’s employees on behalf of all our members. Our grands crus must work more closely with the Bordeaux négociants and envisage a stronger commitment from the region’s top estates during UGCB missions.”