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, Buying, Distribution, Import/Export, International trade, Sales

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

Wine region expertise: Argentina, Australia, California, Douro, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium

Market expertise: Europe

Specialisms: Acquisition of vineyards, Development of new vine varieties, Economics of wine production, Airlines, Branding, Customs clearance, Distribution, Direct to consumer, Financial and commercial structures, Food and wine pairing, HORECA, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Importation, Independent retail, Investment strategies, Marketing wine, Routes to market, Supplier/customer relationships, Tax