In 1990, at just 26 years of age, Michel Chapoutier took over at the head of Maison M. CHAPOUTIER. He turned tradition on its head and concentrated on bringing out the best in the terroirs.

In 1991, he converted the entire estate to biodynamic viticulture, convinced that the expression of the soil gives each wine its own unique signature. Michel sees himself as an explorer, always on the lookout for promising new Terroirs, while remaining an expert in Rhone varietals.

He develops terroirs where no-one else would have dared. Whether in the Rhône Valley, Roussillon, Australia, Alsace, Spain or Portugal, he reveals Terroirs waiting for their "moment".

What's more, he holds the world record for Robert Parker's 100/100 rating, a testament to his commitment and boldness in imagining a new savoir-faire, combining tradition and modernity.

For Michel Chapoutier, wine is meant to be paired with food, and this pairing must be balanced. His passion for gastronomy and his attention to detail have led him to collaborate with renowned chefs. His obsession is to produce wines that play harmoniously with food without dominating it.

Respectful of mankind and the Earth, he initiates charity projects such as "Les Vendanges du Cœur" to promote bone marrow donation, and in 1996 created the first labels in Braille. He also launched the competition for France's Best Student Sommelier in Wines and Spirits to encourage people to take up wine-tasting careers.

Michel Chapoutier's avant-garde vision is a perfect illustration of M. CHAPOUTIER's ability to innovate by redefining the conventions of the wine world. The Rouge Clair launched this year is a perfect example.

By adopting this relaxed philosophy, it opens the door to new taste experiences and a greater diversity of consumers.

Spoken language: French

Photo credit : DR