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Bibendum signs two Chablis superstars as new agencies - 11/02/2010

Out with the old and in with the new! Bibendum has signed two new superstar Chablis producers in Patrick Piuze and Jean Defaix as agencies for the on trade, independent merchants and travel retail sectors in the UK.

Stuart Grundy, Bibendum Supplier Development Manager said "Buyer Tim Marson MW and I have spent the last two months researching, tasting and visiting all the key players in Chablis in order to source the strongest and most exciting range of wines possible. We were amazed we were able to find two producers of such high quality to supply all of our wines on an agency basis. Signing Patrick Piuze and Jean Defaix is a real coup for Bibendum and underlines our commitment to listing the very best wines from France's classic regions."

Both producers made their UK debut at the Bibendum Times Annual Tasting at the Saatchi Gallery on 21st January and were the talk of the tasting. The wines bring together everything we look for in Chablis: crisp fruit, elegance, minerality and precision.

Patrick Piuze

French-Canadian Patrick has previously made wine for the ground breaking Verget Winery in Chablis (a joint venture between Olivier Leflaive and Jean-Marie Guffens) and has also worked for Jean-Marc Brocard. He also consults, alongside compatriot and former Domaine de la Vougeraie winemaker Pascal Marchand, for Bibendum's Chilean partners, Corpora. His first Chablis vintage under his own name was 2008 and he works out of a tiny but impressive winery in the heart of Chablis. His philosophy is simple: to find the best growers with the oldest vines in optimum condition then vinify the grapes in small parcels to maintain their individuality. All but the Petit Chablis are sealed by hand with a soft wax capsule, another example of Patrick's artisanal approach.

Patrick Piuze said "I am delighted to join the Bibendum family alongside so many other great names from the world of wine. I was immediately impressed by the fact Bibendum share my passion for Chablis and their proven history for selling top quality wine across the UK market."

Bibendum will be importing the following Patrick Piuze wines on an exclusive basis from March 2010: Petit Chablis, Chablis 'Terroirs de Chablis', Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 'Les Minots' Vieilles Vignes and Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots.

Domaine Jean Defaix

This estate is owned by Daniel Dampt and his two sons Vincent and Sebastien. Jean Defaix was Daniel's father in law. The Dampt's own 30ha of vines split more or less evenly between Village and 1er Cru and are one of the larger domaines in Chablis whilst still retaining a very hands-on approach. Daniel is widely regarded as one of the best producers in the region. Burghound writer Allen Meadows has described his wines as 'some of the biggest bargains in Chablis' and we heartily agree. All the wines are vinified and aged in tank with minimal batonnage to protect their minerality and - as Chablisiens say - 'nervosite'.

Bibendum will be importing the following wines from March 2010: Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru Cote de Lechet, Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume, Chablis 1er Vaillons and Chablis Grand Cru Bougros (under the Maison Dampt label).