Thibault Pontallier, the son of Chateau Margaux managing director Paul Pontallier, has moved to Hong Kong where he will spend at least two years as ambassador for the brand.
This is the first time that the Bordeaux first growth has installed a direct representative of the chateau in the region, although it follows in the footsteps of Chateau Petrus, which had Jean Moueix, the son of owner Jean-Francois Moueix, spending six months there in 2008.
The 24-year old Pontallier will be based in Hong Kong, but will travel across the region holding tastings and building up relationships with distributors and collectors.
Sacha Lichine of Chateau d’Esclans in Provence – an estate that produces Garrus, the world’s most expensive rose – has also announced a permanent move to the Territory.
And New York-based Acker Merrall & Condit, the oldest wine merchant in the US, plans to open a shop in Hong Kong in 2011, following their entry into the city’s auction circuit.
‘There’s little doubt that many expect Asia to drive the fine wine market in years to come,’ Thomas Bohrer of Habanos Wine told decanter.com.
‘Although it would be dangerous to put all their eggs in one basket, clearly this is an exciting place for the key names in wine to be right now.’
Bordeaux 2009: comprehensive coverage on decanter.com
Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux
