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Bibendum joins forces with Andre Lurton to further strengthen Bordeaux portfolio - 11/02/2010

Bibendum is delighted to announce that it has joined forces with Bordeaux legend Andre Lurton to distribute Lurton's wines on an exclusive basis in the UK. The agreement covers all channels in both the on and off trade and will cover the entire spectrum from entry level up to Cru Classe wines. Among the key wines Bibendum will import are Chateaux Bonnet, Rochemorin, Couhins-Lurton, La Louviere and Dauzac.

Andre Lurton is one of the most well respected family owned companies in Bordeaux with an extensive portfolio of Chateaux. Andre Lurton, who still oversees the business personally, is one of the great personalities of the Bordeaux wine industry and the man credited with almost single-handedly creating the Pessac-Leognan appellation.

Lurton's innovative, consumer-focused approach makes his company an ideal fit for Bibendum. He was the first man to bottle Cru Classe wines from Pessac-Leognan under screwcap and has created a crack winemaking team headed up by Vincent Cruege who works alongside consultant Denis Dubourdieu, the man who is widely regarded as having done more to improve white wine making in Bordeaux than anyone else.

Stuart Grundy, Bibendum Supplier Development Manager said "We're confident we are now working with the most dynamic and forward thinking family business in Bordeaux. Andre Lurton owns a host of fantastic properties and we were immediately impressed with the company's quality-first approach to winemaking and marketing. The wines add a new dimension to our already strong Bordeaux portfolio and we look forward to turning Chateau Bonnet into Chateau Bibendum: a home from home in Bordeaux for our customers and staff."

Tim Marson MW, Bibendum buyer added "The quality of the wines is second to none among their peers in Bordeaux. They play to the inherent strengths of Bordeaux - freshness, complexity and balance - while incorporating the latest technological advances and marketing savoir-faire. They are already familiar to many UK wine drinkers and our new partnership will ensure they reach a far wider audience."

Andre Lurton, MD of Andre Lurton commented "Bibendum is the perfect fit for my family's wines. They have strong relationships with all sectors of the UK market and the same passion and enthusiasm for selling quality wine as I do. Having pulled out of the UK in 2009 we are very pleased to be returning so quickly with a much stronger partnership in place. I look forward to enjoying a long and profitable association with Bibendum."

Bibendum's partnership with Andre Lurton includes exclusive distribution of the company's three flagship properties: Chateaux Dauzac (5eme Cru Classe, Margaux), La Louviere (Pessac-Leognan) and Couhins-Lurton (Cru Classe de Graves). These wines have been removed from the place in Bordeaux and will only be available en primeur through Bibendum. The wines will be available to taste (alongside those from over 75 other chateaux) at Bibendum's Bordeaux 2009 Tasting at Lord's Cricket Ground on April 21st 2010.