A business development manager is, by definition, a person who is skilled and experienced in conveying a brand's story and who is passionate, living, and breathing the brand they represent.

Jonathan Boulangeat, Business Development Manager at Rare Champagne, is all of the above. Not only does he represent Rare Champagne in the best way possible, but he is a natural in his role.

Born and raised in Paris, France, Jonathan's upbringing cultivated his curiosity for good food. While enrolled at Kedge Business School at the Bordeaux campus, he worked in restaurants, and his passion for the food and wine industry blossomed: "Bordeaux was really a stepping stone for me," said Jonathan. Before graduating, he moved to Miami for a year to work as an intern with a renowned wine retailer, W Wine Boutique, and the experience sparked a closer interest in wine. After graduating with a master's in Wine & Spirits Management from Kedge Business School, Jonathan was determined to go back to the U.S. and learned the business side of the industry by working at several large beverage companies such as Bacardi, Vranken, and Remy Cointreau. In 2014, he landed an Ambassadorship position to represent Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck Champagne in Florida and moved to Miami.

Jonathan excelled at developing Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck brands in Miami and grew his network in record time.

Thanks to his success in Florida, he was offered an Ambassadorship/Business Development Manager position with Rare Champagne and made the big move to New York City in 2015. With a brand-new title and a high-end Champagne brand in hand, Jonathan braved the tough NYC market and persevered to make Rare Champagne the most recognized brand in the most prestigious NYC establishments.

Take a listen to my live interview with Jonathan Boulangeat HERE.

In the last four decades, only nine vintages of Rare Brut (1976, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2002, and 2006) and two editions of Rare Rosé Millésimé (2007 and 2008) have been produced.

Jonathan and I have tasted the latest release of Rare Brut 2006 Live (see video above): It is a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot noir. Aromas are honey, tropical fruit like mango, and dried apricot, with flavors of cocoa, coffee, and smokey notes on the palate. It is a perfect, sophisticated Champagne that pairs remarkably well with morel mushroom dishes, red mullet, and spicy Indian food.

Rare Champagne Brut 2006 was awarded "Best Champagne of 2020" by The Drinks Business, a monthly international magazine that shares the latest news and trends in the beverage industry. Read the full article HERE.

Did you know that celebrities sip Rare Champagne while waiting for their Oscar statuettes to be engraved?

Known for its long history with cinema, Maison Piper-Heidsieck is the official Champagne of the Oscars and the Cannes Film Festival.

Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jonathan.boulangeat, and discover his fascinating Rare adventures.

Cheers,

Anna

Thumbnail photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Boulangeat.

Bottle shots: Courtesy of Rare Champagne.