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Alexandra Vnukovskaya
B&G Export Manager

Upon your arrival in 2011, what was your first impression of the B&G brand image?
B&G is one of the most solid wine merchant companies in Bordeaux region. The history and heritage of Barton & Guestier is really amazing and I was positively surprised to see how B&G's team is proud of it. B&G wines are present in more than 130 countries and consumers know it well. B&G is a strong wine brand, even if we cannot exactly say "brand" in the wine business.

How is that brand-image of B&G today?
No doubt, B&G is still one of the strongest. Sometime being French wine means being "old fashioned". But this is not the case at B&G. The marketing team works hard to create something new and be in. On today's competitive markets, French wine should be at the same time traditional and innovative...

Where do you see the most possibilities of development?
The Russian market is still rising, even during this tough period... The Russian consumer is not a novist any more. It's a consumer looking for a good quality wine for a good price. So B&G has a very good potential. Eastern Europe in general needs to be explored more, Balkans area etc.

What has been your biggest satisfaction so far?
Difficult to say, challenge is a part of my job. The biggest satisfaction will be when B&G will become
the N°1 wine in my country, Russia.

What is your best travel souvenir? And the worst?
Most of my travel souvenirs are good. Great people and places, new experiences...
The worst is when I have troubles with my luggage (to be honest, quite often)... imagine when you arrive in Russia with -35°C without your luggage and any winter clothes...

A favourite market?
It will sound very patriotic if I will say Russia? I love all my markets. For me it is a great pleasure to share with people the wine culture and French Art of living.

What is your favourite B&G wine?
B&G Réserve Sauvignon Blanc, because I love the Sauvignon grape variety. B&G Passeport Côtes de Provence and B&G Passeport Châteauneuf du Pape are also part of my favourites.

Alexandra joined Barton & Guestier in 2011. Certified Oenologue and holder of a Master Degree in Business Management Wine & Spirits (both obtained in France), she speaks Russian, English, French and German. Alexandra loves music, sports, travelling, meeting new people, discovering new cultures and of course WINE!!!