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Bordeaux Storm Leaves Destruction and Hardship in its Wake

Tasting & Trends

A summer hailstorm on August 2, 2013, reports WineSpectator.com, hit Entre-Deux-Mers, St.-Emilion and Castillon, stripping vines “bare of leaves and grapes” and shredding the wood “in an area that is quickly becoming southwest France’s storm alley.” Château Bonnet, a well-known estate belonging to André Lurton, saw significant damage. An area of “almost 30,000 acres of vines” was affected, half of which has suffered “more than 80 percent crop loss.” According to WS, government assistance is unlikely for growers “already walking a financial tightrope” because of the challenges facing generic Bordeaux. Véronique Barthe, owner of Château La Freynelle, says the majority of growers do not have the means to buy grapes and cannot afford insurance.

 

Julien Camus

Founder & President @ Wine Scholar Guild

Julien worked as Trade Attaché for wines and spirits at the French Embassy in Washington DC (2004-2006). In this role, he recognized the need for French wine education as a means to spur consumer demand and interest in his country’s wines.

To that end, he founded the Wine Scholar Guild in August of 2005,an organization dedicated to the promotion of French wine and culture through education. Julien invited national importers of French wine to join the organization as Industry Members and 25 key French wine importers did so immediately.

After leaving the embassy, he has devoted his energies to developing the Wine Scholar Guild and its network of program providers around the globe. Julien holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration with a major in International Marketing from the Strasbourg Management School.

In 2019, Julien was one of the "Future 50" award winners, an award created by WSET and IWSC to acknowledge professionals under 40 who have made a significant contribution to the industry.

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