Uncorked: Marielle Grossetete

Born in Saint-Etienne near Lyon to wine-loving parents, Marielle Grossetete was surrounded by wine ever since she can remember. After a decade-long career in media and communications in Paris, she completed her WSET L3 and decided to venture into the wine business. Marielle moved to Thailand three years ago and has been working at the Four Seasons resort in idyllic Koh Samui ever since. She speaks to dbHK about a favoured bottle of Margaux 1985 and being happiest spending time with her family in southern Brittany.

What vintage are you? 

1976. Coming from the Northern Rhône Valley, I will only mention the fantastic Côte Rôtie La Mouline from Guigal, but generally speaking, 1976 was a great vintage – if not to say excellent – for Burgundy, Alsace and Rhône wines.

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

My parents were proper wine lovers, so I have always tasted wine and being quite fascinated by their differences as far as I can remember. But the wine that has given me great emotion and pleasure since I have been working in this industry is unquestionably Château Margaux 1985. This was followed by a 100-year old Seppeltsfield Port wine that I tasted last year.

What would you be as a wine?

A Châteauneuf du Pape.

Where are you happiest?

In a tiny village of South Brittany, sipping wine with my family while watching the wild Atlantic Ocean.

What’s your greatest vice?

I prefer to call vices my ‘Achilles’ heel’ – I love chocolate and cheese! I am just completely addicted.

Best advice you ever got?

Don’t give any advice if you’re not asked to provide it!

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

Probably a bottle of Condrieu! Especially since living in Thailand.

What’s the best and worst thing about the wine business?

The best thing is that it is in constant movement, especially on the winemaking side. There’s always new things to learn. What I deplore is that wine has become a major product of investment and of speculation – it is there to be enjoyed, after all.

What’s on your wine bucket list?

To retire in Tuscany or Provence and then drinking Pousse d’Or Chambolle Musigny Premier Cru and Clos de la Roche Grand Cru which are waiting for me in France.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Family, close friends and the fantastic Roca brothers!

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

An old-vine Châteauneuf du Pape blanc followed by Château Angelus.