FMV gets UK exclusivity for ‘new star’ in Burgundy

Fields, Morris & Verdin has been appointed the exclusive agent for the wines of Olivier Bernstein, a new star in Burgundy.

Olivier Bernstein has been represented in the UK by Berry Bros & Rudd from his first vintage in 2007, but from last month, the company’s wholesale division Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) became the sole distributor of Olivier Bernstein through the on- and off-trade in the UK.

The Bernstein range is unique, concentrating on the finest vineyards of the Côte de Nuits. He offers one village Gevrey-Chambertin, three premiers crus and seven grands crus, including Clos de la Roche, Bonnes-Mares, Mazis-Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze and Chambertin itself.

According to FMV, in a very short space of time Olivier Bernstein has established himself as a new star in Burgundy, receiving superb press notices for his very first vintage, 2007, from both Jancis Robinson and Allen Meadows – with Meadows making a comparison to the late, great Henri Jayer.

FMV’s Burgundy director Jasper Morris MW commented, “It is a rare find in Burgundy when an outsider challenges the established greats. There were some magical wines from the outset and since 2012 Olivier Bernstein has hit the top notes consistently: magical wines from great vineyards.”

Olivier Bernstein was born in Touraine into a family of music publishers and began his working life in managerial roles before studying viticulture and oenology in Beaune.

In 2002, at the age of 35, Bernstein bought an abandoned estate in Roussillon, creating Mas de la Devève using grapes from 8 hectares of old vines in Tautavel.

In 2007 he created a maison bearing his name to make wines from Burgundy, his first vinous love following a brief stint working with Henri Jayer during the making of the 2002 vintage.

Today, with eight vintages under his belt, Olivier Bernstein has joined the band of proven quality producers of high class Burgundy, stated FMW.