Bernard Jacob receiving the 2009 Wine Blog Trophy for the best producer blog Xnoir on behalf of its author – Margaux: Salon 2009 I managed to speak this afternoon to Bernard Jacob, directeur général, of Ackerman-Rémy Pannier. He had previously been tied up in meetings.
Jim: When did you conclude the deal?
Bernard: We signed last Friday – 4th December. The negotiations were complicated due to Donatien-Bahuaud having gone into administration in October 2006.
Jim: Why did Ackerman buy Donatien-Bahuaud? What advantages are there in having DB in your portfolio?
Bernard: Firstly Donatien-Bahuaud gives us a higher profile and image in the Pays Nantais, where Ackerman hasn't had a big presence. Donatien is well known for its Muscadets with good brands like Le Master. Secondly it allows us to preserve the Donatien name and its brand range like Le Master, La Diva and, in particular, the Maison des Princes in export markets like the UK. The Maison des Prince range is screwcapped and covers a number of the Loire appellations. It includes a Muscadet, a Chinon, Vouvray, Sancerre and a Pouilly-Fumé.
Jim: But isn't Le Master brand rather past it – faded with its glory days in the late 1980s and 1990s?
Bernard: It's true that over the past few years Le Master has not been what it once was – the best of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine selected by the producers. We will need to relaunch it and to go back to the spirit of what it once was.
Jim: Yes I think one year the blend for Le Master was selected by a panel of experts headed by Arabella Woodrow MW.
Bernard: We are convinced by the quality now produced in Muscadet and we want Le Master to reflect this. Furthermore Muscadet lacks strong brands.
Jim: What about the offices at Domaine du Cléray in Vallet?
Bernard: Although we will be moving Donatien's registered address to Saumur, we will continue to keep the Donatien offices at the Domaine du Cléray in Vallet. Domaine du Cléray is not part of Donatien and, of course, it is not the same as Château du Cléray which is now part of Grands Chais de France.
In the UK Donatien-Bahuaud will continue to be distributed by Guy Anderson Wines
The Ackerman vendangeoir@Le Puy-Notre-Dame: 3.10.09
Jim: When did you conclude the deal?
Bernard: We signed last Friday – 4th December. The negotiations were complicated due to Donatien-Bahuaud having gone into administration in October 2006.
Jim: Why did Ackerman buy Donatien-Bahuaud? What advantages are there in having DB in your portfolio?
Bernard: Firstly Donatien-Bahuaud gives us a higher profile and image in the Pays Nantais, where Ackerman hasn't had a big presence. Donatien is well known for its Muscadets with good brands like Le Master. Secondly it allows us to preserve the Donatien name and its brand range like Le Master, La Diva and, in particular, the Maison des Princes in export markets like the UK. The Maison des Prince range is screwcapped and covers a number of the Loire appellations. It includes a Muscadet, a Chinon, Vouvray, Sancerre and a Pouilly-Fumé.
Jim: But isn't Le Master brand rather past it – faded with its glory days in the late 1980s and 1990s?
Bernard: It's true that over the past few years Le Master has not been what it once was – the best of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine selected by the producers. We will need to relaunch it and to go back to the spirit of what it once was.
Jim: Yes I think one year the blend for Le Master was selected by a panel of experts headed by Arabella Woodrow MW.
Bernard: We are convinced by the quality now produced in Muscadet and we want Le Master to reflect this. Furthermore Muscadet lacks strong brands.
Jim: What about the offices at Domaine du Cléray in Vallet?
Bernard: Although we will be moving Donatien's registered address to Saumur, we will continue to keep the Donatien offices at the Domaine du Cléray in Vallet. Domaine du Cléray is not part of Donatien and, of course, it is not the same as Château du Cléray which is now part of Grands Chais de France.
In the UK Donatien-Bahuaud will continue to be distributed by Guy Anderson Wines
The Ackerman vendangeoir@Le Puy-Notre-Dame: 3.10.09I suspect that it will take considerable thought and investment to successfully resuscitate the Le Master brand. I also suspect that Le Master may no longer be a brand name that resonates in the 21st century. One to follow!
Yesterday's report on Ackerman buying Donatien-Bahuaud.
Yesterday's report on Ackerman buying Donatien-Bahuaud.
