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The Master Winemaker 100: Robert Eden, Château Maris
The drinks business recently published a guide celebrating the talent of the winemakers who have scooped the highest accolade of our Global Masters tasting series, which is judged almost exclusively by MWs. Each week we profile the winemakers behind these medal winning wines – the creatives, scientists, mavericks and dreamers who are at the pinnacle of winemaking.
Robert Eden, vintner and co-owner, Château Maris
England-born Robert Eden has lived in France since 1994, having spent time travelling and working with winemakers across Australia, Italy, Burgundy, Spain and California. In 1997 he purchased the 79-hectare domaine in Minervois’ La Livinière (cru classe), which is farmed organically and biodynamically. As well as using gravity feeding, the winery boasts a hemp cellar that passively consumes CO2, and Eden regularly presents on the advantages of biodynamic viticulture and the importance of taking steps to reduce the impact on the environment in the wine industry.
(Photo: Château Maris)
What or who inspired you to become a winemaker?
My father, by allowing me to taste wine at a very early age
What’s your favourite part of the job?
So many; harvest, blending, tasting in cellar with clients, lunch with friends…
What’s the hardest part?
Waking up the next day!
What’s your go-to drink at the end of a long day?
Sparkling water with squeezed lemon juice.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Visit as many wine regions and taste as many different wines as possible, and work in the vineyards and cellars.
What was your greatest winemaking mistake?
Over-extracting the 1998 Languedocs and putting them all in new-wood barrels.
Which wine-related achievement are you most proud of?
The next vintage.
Who is your inspiration in the wine world today?
The vine.
Where would your fantasy vineyard be?
Baja, California.
If you weren’t a winemaker, what would you be doing and why?
Working in a wine bar so I could taste many different wines and be with like-minded souls.
Which wine (grape/style) do you find it impossible to get along with?
I like them all.
How have your wine tastes changed over your career?
They have changed but I still love Riesling.
What type of wine do you drink most often?
Red Syrah Grenache.
Which wine would you most like to drink, and who would you share it with?
Many, and different ones on different occasions with different people. With my wife a Meursault Genevrières 2000 Comte Lafon.
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Master medals |
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To buy a copy of The Master Winemaker 100, please click here.
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