[Herald Interview] RSRV premium champagne lands in Korea

Pernod Ricard Korea CEO Frantz Hotton poses after an interview with The Korea Herald on Oct. 13 at Grand Walkerhill Seoul in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul. (Pernod Ricard Korea)

Global wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard’s luxury wine collection, Maison Mumm RSRV, recently debuted in South Korea to respond to an ever-changing, pandemic-fueled drinking culture: drink less, but better.

“On occasions to drink at home with a small group of people, you don’t have the social pressure to choose the right alcohol for the moment. It was very interesting to see how people go from drinking soju and beer – the rule you have to follow when you’re in a bar or restaurant – to choosing what you actually like,” Frantz Hotton said. , CEO of Pernod Ricard Korea. , during a recent interview with The Korea Herald.

Hotton said the South Korean wine market has become mature enough to enjoy a wide range of wines.

“Five years ago, wine was white or red, French or Australian in Korea. The number of educated and sophisticated consumers willing to taste fairly expensive wines has grown rapidly. The ability to enjoy and pay (for luxury wines) is finally here.

Consumers have become more educated thanks to experts like sommeliers, who act as gatekeepers to the wine market, Hotton added. Drawing on their years of expertise, they have taught consumers the difference between wine brands and winemaking.

Targeting wine lovers in Korea, Pernod Ricard recently launched its RSRV Champagne collection here. RSRV, short for “reserve”, was first launched in 1838 by the Maison Mumm company cellar as a limited collection of champagne for the VIPs of the cellar masters of the cellar.

The RSRV label is folded, following a tradition where the winery has hand selected and marked the best wines from its vineyards by folding the top corner of the label for distinguished guests.

Three new RSRV wine collections – Cuvée 4.5, Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2015 and Cuvée Lalou 2008 – are made with Grand Cru grapes produced in a vineyard that holds the highest classification of French wines.

RSRV Cuvée 4.5 is a premium non-vintage champagne with grapes from five different villages in France. He blends premium pinot noir and chardonnay and ages them for four years. The Champagne leaves a floral aftertaste with aromas of vanilla and mocha.

RSRV Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2015 is a vintage wine that uses 100% premium Chardonnay grapes from Cramant, France with over three years of aging. Applying less pressure than other champagnes, it delivers a demi-foam – a moderate amount of bubbles – rarely found in regular champagnes, which have excessive bubbles that sometimes cloud the taste.

RSRV Cuvée Lalou 2008 is the most refined Champagne in this collection. Aged 10, in 2008 he blended Grand Cru grapes from seven of Maison Mumm’s finest plots. Since the best grapes selected by winemakers are usually different each year, consumers can enjoy a wide variety of style tastes each year, according to Hoton.

Driven by younger generations’ enthusiasm for wine and other sophisticated liquor options, Hotton said South Korea’s wine market will continue to grow. “Usually, there is a perfect correlation between the evolution of wine and that of single malt whiskies. Since Korea has a booming single malt market, it has a strong demand for wine education courses and an interest in wine.

The booming fine dining trend here is also pushing consumers to enhance the experience by pairing food with fine drinks, including wine, Hotton added.

Joined Pernod Ricard in 1995, Hotton held the positions of Commercial Director and Commercial and Marketing Director until 2009. He was appointed Managing Director of Pernod Ricard for Hong Kong and Macao in July 2014. Since July 2021, Hotton has led Pernod Ricard Korea as CEO. .

By Byun Hye-jin ([email protected])