Uncorked: Lizzy Rudd

Lizzy Rudd, the newly appointed chairman of Berry Bros & Rudd, is only the second woman to helm the renowned British fine wine company after her grandmother Ethel. A member of the third-generation Rudd family, Lizzy started out her career at BBR in the marketing team, where she was responsible for building the global reputation of the firm’s whisky brand Cutty Sark. Now in charge of one of the biggest wine merchants in the world, Lizzy chats to dbHK about a rare 1868 Château Lafite Rothschild she drank at 20, and her admiration for The Queen and the Prince of Wales. 

What vintage are you? 

1966 – the Year of the Horse and a wonderful vintage for some of my favourite wine regions.

What bottle sparked your love of wine? 

My father had his 60th birthday at our London office and we opened a wonderful bottle of 1868 Château Lafite Rothschild, which had been given to him by his grandfather. It was extraordinary. I was 20 and it opened my eyes to the excitement around drinking wonderful wine.

What would you be as a wine? 

I’d like to be a bottle of English sparkling wine!

Where are you happiest? 

At home in Norfolk in my garden by the sea.

What’s your greatest vice? 

Berry Bros. vintage Champagne or No. 3 Gin and tonic.

Best advice you ever received? 

Make the most of the opportunities that come to you, as it is things you don’t do in life that you regret, not the ones you do.  

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

For me it would have to be Château Margaux 1961. 

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

The best thing is being able to drink wonderful wine ,which is often matched with delicious food and getting to know interesting people.  The worst thing about the wine business is not having enough of the best wines around, and having to be really patient to wait for them to mature.

What’s on your wine bucket list? 

Nothing, I think we have everything I could possibly want in our cellars in London.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? 

The Queen and the Prince of Wales as we have their Royal Warrants and I admire both of them. I admire the Queen for her tenacity and the Prince of Wales for his principles.

Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)?

95 – I have a great life, wonderful family and a great business.

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

Berry Bros. vintage Champagne or No. 3 Gin and tonic.