If you could make wine anywhere, where would it be?
The region of Piedmont in Italy.
What pest causes you most trouble in the vineyard?
Xyphinéma Index (little worm responsible for grapevine fanleaf virus in old vines).
What impact have wine critics had on you (if any)?
When people like the wines, that jusitifies the changes that have been made.
What is the best thing about wines made in your country? And the worst?
The best is certainly our terroirs, which are centuries old, and whose quality is always indisputable.
The worst is the way that the wines are branded, which leads you to believe that the people who make them are more important than the terroir itself.
What causes you most sleepless nights?
At the moment, it is the devastating effects of the vine disease, Esca. Each year we lose a part of our vineyard holding and yields have decreased by nearly 20% in the last 4 years.
If you weren't a winemaker, what would you like to have been?
I think I could have been a police officer.
Outside wine, what is your strongest interest?
Sport: Rugby and mountain biking.
What was the best advice you ever received?
Do what you want, decisions are yours to make.
Favourite wine/vintage from your winery?
It’s a bit like children, they are all interesting and different, but if I had to choose, I would say the 2008 vintage.
Signature dish?
Foie Gras.
Favourite restaurant locally? Worldwide?
Au Fil du Zinc in Chablis.
To see a list of Benoit's wines click here.