Hall Of Fame
Discover ten figures known for their association with wine
Champions of wine
JAMES BUSBY SCOTTISH 1802-1871
Clicquot also invented the first blended rosé champagne in 1818, using the same techniques that are still used today.
Having studied viticulture in France, Busby took his knowledge and love for wine with him when he moved to Australia in 1824. Travelling back to France and Spain to learn more about winemaking, Busby brought back the first vine cuttings to Australia, including the popular Shiraz vine. As a result, he is often referred to as the father of the Australian wine industry, which is further buoyed by the fact that he planted, produced and sold the first New Zealand wine in 1835.
ZHANG QIAN CHINESE UNKNOWN – C.113 BCE
During the Han dynasty, Emperor Wudi sent military officer, diplomat and explorer Zhang Qian on diplomatic missions to the West. Through the course of his travels, Zhang Qian encountered grape wine in the kingdom of Dayuan and brought the grape vines back, introducing both wine and winemaking to China. The Eurasian vines were used to establish vineyards for the Emperor, who became very interested in vine cultivation and encouraged Western winemakers to visit China.
MADAME BARBE-NICOLE CLICQUOT FRENCH 1777-1866
Often cited as the ‘Great Dame of Champagne’, Clicquot inherited her husband’s failing wine business, Veuve Clicquot, following his death in 1805. Convincing her father-in-law to invest in the business, she learnt the skills necessary to make champagne, creating the world’s first known vintage in 1810. Realising that the Russians enjoyed sweet champagne, Clicquot made the risky decision to export her bottles to Russia following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, where it proved extremely popular and saved Clicquot’s business from bankruptcy. To meet demand, Clicquot also invented the method of riddling to quickly remove dead yeast from the champagne and speed up production.
ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE FRENCH C.1112-1204
While Eleanor of Aquitaine was not overly interested in wine, her marriage to the future King Henry II of England in 1152 changed the fortunes of the Bordeaux wine region. As a result of the marriage, Eleanor’s lands in Aquitaine – which included Bordeaux – were joined with the crown of England. Following Henry’s accession in 1154, the wine trade between the two countries grew significantly, with Bordeaux wine earning the royal seal of approval.