Proust Q&A: Laurent Delaunay, Badet Clément

Laurent Delaunay, president of Burgundian négociant Badet Clément, reveals his greatest fear, why he covets a bottle of 1929 Beaune and how he lets loose at rock and roll clubs in Hong Kong.

Laurent Delaunay is the president of Burgundian négociant Badet Clément.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A summer dinner outside at home in Burgundy with my most beloved friends and a few bottles of old vintage Burgundies.

What is your greatest fear?

Not being able to fulfill the expectations of people who count on me.

Which living person do you most admire?

Aubert de Villaine, Not only does he produce the best wine in the world (Romanée Conti) but he is deeply involved in preserving the ancient heritage and culture of Burgundy and he works for the general interest of the region.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Dancing (I’m a very bad dancer!) and singing (I’m a bad singer too) all night long in a blues and rock n’roll club in Hong-Kong during Vinexpo.

What is your current state of mind?

Serene, with an inquiring mind.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Joie de vivre and accessibility. I don’t like women who are too authoritarian.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My wife and my daughter.

When and where were you happiest?

After having organized a wine auction and a charity dinner with two of my best producer friends, in the old dining room of the Hospices de Beaune, to help children with genetic brain diseases.

Which talent would you most like to have?

More courage.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d like to be more extroverted.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

The birth of my daughter, Jeanne.

Where would you most like to live?

Porquerolle Island, a beautiful small island off Toulon, or Sydney – a beautiful and vibrant city.

What is your most treasured possession?

If it’s a human quality – honesty. If it’s an object – an old reliqic in the chapel of my house.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Intellectual curiosity.

Who are your favourite writers?

Theodor Kröger : I have just read his only biographical book, The Forgotten Village, which is one of the most epic human odysseys set in Siberia during the 1st World War.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Theodor Kröger because I suspect he did not really go through all the situations he describes in his book…

What is it that you most dislike?

Intellectual dishonesty, superficiality.

What is your greatest regret?

I would have liked to have had more than one child.

What is your motto?

Overdeliver! (in terms of wine quality/price ratio).

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve them?

The same beloved friends as in question 1. Wines: two wines that they would not expect: a bottle of 2014 “Solaire” Pinot Noir from our Domaine de la Métairie d’Alon estate in Limoux, because it is a surprisingly good Pinot. A bottle of French Zinfandel from Domaine de l’Arjolle, because they would not even know it exists, and my last bottle of Beaune 1929 from my grandfather because it is my family heritage.