You would possibly suppose that BBX is all about laborious information, details and figures. However behind our industry-leading fantastic wine alternate, there’s a workforce of passionate wine consultants. Every is devoted to serving to folks handle their cellars and, in the end, drink higher. Right here, we meet Ben Chan, Senior BBX Wine Specialist.
Ben joined our BBX workforce final yr, bringing with him a few years of various expertise in wine. He began out in retail whereas finding out oenology earlier than shifting into winemaking and harvest work – throughout his native Australia in addition to Austria and Chablis, France.
“Most of my winemaking expertise was at Philip Shaw Wines within the cool-climate area of Orange, New South Wales. Philip was a terrific mentor, and we made elegant wines from worldwide grape varieties.
“While I take pleasure in most wine types, I feel white wines can actually categorical themselves. I noticed this firsthand at Skillogalee within the Clare Valley, Château de Béru in Chablis and Salomon Undhof in Kremstal, Austria. I discover Grüner Veltliner significantly fascinating as it may be made in varied types, from gentle and recent to highly effective and hedonistic.”
After relocating to the UK, Ben labored as a sommelier at Michelin-starred restaurant Hakkasan in Mayfair.
“My time working the ground at Hakkasan gave me a crash course on the earth of fantastic wine. I rapidly learnt that whereas I knew the best way to make wine, there have been so many international producers that I wanted to know. I used to be fortunate to have the ability to style lots of the classics.”
Ben then moved into wine schooling as a pacesetter examiner on the Wine & Spirit Training Belief (WSET). He’s additionally a wine decide on the Decanter World Wine Awards and the Worldwide Wine Problem. If that weren’t fairly sufficient, he’s presently engaged on his analysis paper for the ultimate stage of the Grasp of Wine (MW) qualification. However schooling doesn’t cease within the classroom or the examination corridor: Ben fondly recollects visiting a number of the world’s nice winemakers.
“Promontory within the Napa Valley was one vineyard go to that has left a long-lasting impression on me. The winery is excessive up in a secluded forest, and the cellar may very well be thought of a murals. The Harlan household’s dedication and precision have been clear to see – and confirmed within the wines. It’s actually a particular place.
“Then there’s Gaja in Piedmont. I visited in spring and the winery was energetic. It was nice to see them utilizing cowl crops and useful bugs and birds as an alternative of chemical compounds. That is higher for each the winery employees and the planet. And their Barbaresco is sensational.
“And I gained’t neglect Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos within the Douro Valley. After an extended day of visits and MW-student masterclasses, it doesn’t get significantly better than sipping on white Port and tonic at sundown.”
Ben and the remainder of our workforce draw upon their data and expertise to help our clients with managing their cellars and BBX listings. When you’ve got any questions or would really like a valuation of your cellar, please don’t hesitate to e-mail us at bbx@bbr.com.
