Prix Raisin offers assistance to those taking their first steps in Bordeaux wine production. This is the latest initiative from Dauga, who likes to champion little known, but potentially good wines from the region which find it hard to stand out among the Grands Crus.
“Bordeaux is so often associated with high-end expensive wines, when there are hundreds of excellent wines out there to be enjoyed now and at really reasonable prices,” said Dauga.
In April this year Dauga joined forces with Jean-Pierre Xiradakis, owner of Bordeaux restaurant La Tupina, to create the Prix Raisin. This initiative is based on a blind tasting competition focusing on wines retailing at under five Euros and produced by winemakers aged under 40.
For one year the winner receives free consulting services by Dauga, two new barrels from Varron cooperage, distribution help by the negociant Ricaud Dussarget and listings in five restaurants selected by Dauga and Xiradakis.
In 2012 the prize was awarded to Fréderic Borderie of Château Les Gravières de la Brandille, AOC Bordeaux Superieur, for his 2010 vintage. From 2013 the prize will include marketing and financial advice as part of the winner’s prize.
Since he began working as a consultant 20 years ago, Dauga (www.olivierdauga.com) has been advising clients in his native Bordeaux, the south of France, Champagne, Provence, Morocco and Ukraine. Dauga says he devotes his energy to helping wine producers create wines that combine quality with enjoyable drinking and he says his philosophy has much in common with the approach of Australian winemakers, a source of inspiration in his early years.
