Christophe was raised and has lived in Belgium, the US and Switzerland, and is currently based in Belgium with his wife and two children. He is founder and managing director of Gustoworld, a leading (fully C02-neutral) fine world wine importer with extensive activity in Belgium and France. He is also owner of several well-known wine import companies in these countries. Christophe is an alumni of the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Switzerland, from which he graduated in 1998 with a BSc in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HES). After a career in the hospitality industry in Canada and the US, Christophe returned to Europe to start his wine business. Christophe is socially engaged in favour of entrepreneurship as member and former president of several entrepreneur associations. Christophe loves discovering world food and wine cultures. His passion for wine led him to the WSET Diploma, he then joined the MW programme in 2015.

Current employer: Gustoworld

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Strategy

Industry sector(s): Agency/Importer, Business owner, Buying, Consultant, Distribution, Educator, Events, Import/Export, International trade, Off trade, Sales, Wine business strategy, Wine buying, Wine judge, Crowdfunding, Investments

Wine styles: Cava, Champagne, Fine and rare wines, Natural, Orange wines, Prosecco, Sherry, Sparkling wine, Still red, Still rosé, Still white, Still wines, Sweet wines, VDN

Wine region expertise: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, California, Canada, Champagne, Douro, France, Germany, Italy, Jerez, Spain, Switzerland

Market expertise: Europe, France, Switzerland

Specialisms: Acquisition of vineyards, Economics of wine production, Maturation and blending, P&L, Blending, Airlines, Branding, Customs clearance, Digital communications, Direct to consumer, Distribution, Ecommerce, Education, Events, Financial and commercial structures, Food and wine pairing, HORECA, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Importation, Independent retail, Investment strategies, Marketing wine, New business development, PR, Restaurant wines, Routes to market, Supplier/customer relationships, Supermarket and multiple retail, Tax, Technology, Wine labels, Crowdfunding, Wine judging