A Négociant is a wine merchant who buys grapes, must (freshly pressed grape juice), or even finished wine from smaller producers and sells the wine under their own label. The role of Négociants is particularly important in regions like Burgundy and Champagne, where vineyard ownership is often fragmented into many small plots. These small-scale producers may not have the resources to make or market their own wine, so they sell their grapes or unfinished wine to a Négociant, who then oversees the production, bottling, and distribution.
There are two main types of Négociants: Négociant-éleveurs and Négociant-manipulants. Négociant-éleveurs are involved in aging and finishing the wine, while Négociant-manipulants simply sell wines produced by others. In either case, they play a crucial role in the wine industry, helping to bring high-quality wines to a wider market. They often have the resources and expertise to produce wines on a larger scale, even from grapes grown by small, independent farmers.
Many Négociants have built prestigious brands, with some producing exceptional wines that rival those made by individual estate owners. In regions like Burgundy, where small vineyard plots produce very limited quantities, they help to bring wines from some of the world’s most renowned appellations to wine lovers around the globe.
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