Interview: Philippe Lejeune - Chambert vineyard

Philippe Lejeune

CHAMBERT in 2007 :
- Philippe Lejeune buys CHAMBERT
- Stéphane Derenoncourt: winemaker consultant
- A simple mission: create the world's best Malbec
expression.

	Interview: What about the wine crisis? Question: What is your view on the so-called wine crisis? Philippe Lejeune: In my opinion, a crisis is when an unpredictable situation arises. The destruction of vineyards by phylloxera was an example of a true crisis. But problems due to world competition or over-production are not on the same level: they are simply cases of lack of adaptation to market realities. There are still too many producers who ignore (or forget) the basics of trade, and the necessity to be clear in terms of positioning. Either one is in the volume business or one is aiming for the top end of the market. There is no other viable solution. Q: Do you think that France is declining? P.L: Yes and no: France is currently paying the price for its former domination of wine markets and its consequent arrogance. But France has always operated like this. Read La Fontaine’s fable, « the hare and the tortoise », to see the point! It needed a cold shower to wake itself up, and I think that the message has finally got through. Q: How do you see France adapting to world markets? P.L: Many of the best producers have seen globalisation coming for some time and invested soon enough to consolidate their positions (by acquiring new vineyards on other continents, merging with others, etc). Wine will always require twin expertise: those who know how to produce, and those who know how to sell. France is fortunate enough to have ideal conditions for production, and so has at least 50% of what it takes to succeed! Q: And what is the future for small producers? P.L.: Some growers own just a few hectares, and, despite my 60 hectares, I am one of them. Our survival depends on our producing quality wine: otherwise we will disappear. We will have won part of the battle when each producer ceases to consider his neighbour as his main competitor and adopts teamwork. Even Bordeaux is learning this today. Q: What is the potential for a small appellation like Cahors? P.L: In a world that goes faster and faster, people are looking for authentic ways of being together. Wine has an important role to play here. And the tendancy is to drink better wine, to become interested in what one is drinking, to seek out wines with individual personnalities. This opens a whole field for wines that are different, and Cahors, through its Malbec grape, which is both full-flavoured and elegant here, has great potential. Q: So the future looks good? P.L: One must always try to move forward, making the best possible wine and getting the word around. All the rest is verbiage. November 2007
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