Deep below Beaune’s cobbled streets, the ancient cellars of Bouchard Père & Fils cradle bottles that have outlived monarchs and centuries alike. From its first vineyard purchase in Volnay’s Les Caillerets to its establishment at the 15th-century Château de Beaune, the maison has grown into one of the region’s largest domaine-owners, sheltering vintages dating back to 1846. Across generations, the estate has sustained a hands-on approach to craft—one defined by patient hands, parcel-by-parcel vinification, and a deep understanding of Burgundy’s layered terroirs.
Today, under the guardianship of Artémis Domaines—the luxury wine group founded by François Pinault—its 130ha of sunlit slopes and sacred soils remain an anchoring presence in Burgundy’s storied landscape. Vintage after vintage, the maison is extending its reach to Malaysia through a partnership with fine wines and spirits distributor AsiaEuro Group. At a recent masterclass at Cohiba Atmosphere Kuala Lumpur, guests were treated to a guided tasting of eight hallmark wines from the historic producer.
Indulgent as it was, the evening’s educational depth came courtesy of two representatives from Artémis Domaines: Rufus Beazley, director of operations for Asia, and Alexandre Garandel, sales and marketing manager for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. “Wines are getting more expensive due to rising global demand, but vineyards don’t grow—that’s why it’s limited,” Garandel said. In Burgundy, where vineyard maps have remained unchanged for centuries, the tension between scarcity and demand is particularly pronounced. The region produces less than half a per cent of the world’s wine, yet accounts for nearly a quarter of the fine wine market by value. With climate volatility reducing yields and new collectors entering from Asia and beyond, the pressure on supply has never been greater.
Of the eight wines, three stood out from the first sip. The Beaune du Château Premier Cru Blanc 2021 impressed with its supple brightness. Drawn from five distinct plots, it invites just the right lift of acidity and a faintly saline finish—making it “an exceptionally complete white,” Beazley complimented. Meanwhile, the Beaune Premier Cru Clos Saint-Landry Monopole 2022 emerged as a unique gem, from what Beazley described as “a good year”. Smooth and easy on the palate, its concentrated fruit recalls hints of salted lemon peel and subtle oak tones from 20 to 25 per cent new barrels. On the red side, the Beaune du Château Premier Cru Rouge 2021 grew more appealing with each sip, where its structure and intensity quickly became a personal favourite of the evening. Red-fruited and lightly spiced, the wine is crafted from multiple terroirs, posing a rewarding challenge even for the most skilled winemaker.
For all its scale and history, what the maison represents is shared appreciation—between the drinker and the land, the maker and the moment. Its heritage isn’t just preserved in cellars but also carried forward through education, dialogue, and the simple act of sharing a glass across borders.
