Bordeaux wine veteran Philippe Cottin dies

Philippe Cottin, a key figure of Bordeaux wine in the 20th Century and director of Chateau Mouton Rothschild for more than 40 years, has died.

Philippe Cottin died in Bordeaux last week aged 81.

As president of Philippe de Rothschild SA, Cottin played a key role in setting up the La Baronnie négociant business, and in expanding Mouton Cadet to becoming the most widely-distributed Bordeaux brand in the world, selling 1.3m cases per year at its height in 2002.

Back in the 1970s, Cottin is also believed to have been first to approach Robert Mondavi on behalf of Baron Philippe de Rothschild for the founding of Opus One.

In 1997, Cottin bought Maison Dubos, a Bordeaux négociant company that his children continue to run.

Cottin was ‘one of the best known and loved men in the Bordeaux wine trade,’ said Emmanuel Cruse, co-owner of Chateau d’Issan and Grand Maitre of the Commanderie de Bontemps.

‘He will be hugely missed,’ he said at last weekend’s Ban de Vendanges ceremony.

Cottin leaves his wife, four children and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Saint-Seurin basilica on September 17.

Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux