The 10 Winemakers Who Changed the World of Wine

"The Drinks Business", a highly regarded English magazine that analyses wine trends and the market, gives us the ranking of the most influential winemakers in the world.

….Each of these 10, according to “The Drinks Business”, has changed the character of wine more profoundly than any brand or company. In short, they are the “artists of wine” who have directed the new style of denominations, typologies or territories.

Some reasons for regret: no women on this list and only one Italian. Too bad.

10th place for Saint Harrop, New Zealand Master of Wine who changed the face of Loire Valley wines. An expert in markets and oenology, he is one of the most authoritative voices on “authentic or natural” wine, a topic he has also dedicated a book to.

Demei Li, a Chinese educated at the University of Bordeaux, worked at Chateau Palmer before leading the first Sino-French joint venture. At 43, he is the most influential man in Chinese wine.

Kym Mine, Master of Wine based in Australia. He is a flying winemaker who loves a contemporary wine style based on elegance, alcohol containment and the use of wood.

In 7th place there is a surprise.
These are the 3 winemakers: the merchant Laithwaites Wine, that help producers create successful wines.
Next, one step higher, Denis Dubourdieu, professor at the University of Bordeaux and consultant. He pays particular attention to combining quality and longevity in white wines.
Alberto Antonini, a Tuscan who works in Chile seeking local identity in opposition to “Frenchification”. Consultant of Concha y Toro, for seven years he has been the partner of Pedro Parra, the man who revolutionized the concept of vineyard land.

The 4th is Stephane Derenoncourt, He works all over the world and everywhere he has taught how to put the vineyard back at the centre of the wine, to the point of proposing the separate vinification of the parcels.

We arrive on the podium, bronze medal to Paul Hobbs, that is Mr Opus One. His name is in fact linked to the success of the legendary Mondavi-Rothschild winery. An enemy of sulphur dioxide, he was one of the architects of the success of the Argentine wine Malbec. Now he is looking to India.

Michel Rolland, the most famous on the list. 150 clients worldwide. He denies using a recipe but his wines undoubtedly have his strong digital imprint that Robert Parker likes. He supports the hyper-selection of grapes, also through optical selectors, to vinify only absolutely ripe grapes.

On the podium of the most influential winemakers in the world Jacques and Eric Boissenot, father and son.
They never appear, but they are behind the scenes of many great wines, names such as: Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild, Léoville Las Cases, Léoville Barton, Ducru Beaucaillou, Grand Puy Lacoste, Branaire Ducru, Rauzan Ségla, Sigalas Rabaud.

(read and translated) da Donatella Cinelli Colombini)