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Frank Smulders MW

Frank Smulders MW

Became an MW 1992

Based in Netherlands

Nationality Dutch

Languages Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish

Contact

My career in the wine business started in 1985. Since then I occupied a host of different roles in the industry. Until 2001 I worked for different wine importers in the Netherlands in sales, buying, marketing and management. In 2001 I started working independently in education, interim management and consultancy.

Currently I lecture in 15 countries in Europe, mostly WSET Level 3 and 4 (Diploma Course), and the German language Weinakademiker Program from the Weinakademie Österreich.

As a Spanish wine specialist I consulted many wineries in Spain, including Abadia Retuerta and Bodegas y Bebidas (now Pernod Ricard Spain). Currently I am involved in creating a new wine from 100 year old Garnacha parcels in Navarra.

From 2010 till 2013 I was in charge of the wine-team of Palais Coburg in Vienna ('Best wine list in the world') and created the cellar of Parkhotel Vitznau in Switzerland.

As of January 2019 I am in charge of the wine department of O'Key Hypermarkets in Russia, after having consulted their sister company Da! already since 2015.

Primary area(s) of work: Wine production, Trade, Strategy, Communication

Industry sector(s): Buying, Consultant, Distribution, Educator, Off trade, Project management, Sales

Wine styles: Cava, Champagne, Fine and rare wines, Sherry, Still red, Still rosé, Still white, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Alsace, Austria, Bordeaux, Champagne, France, Galicia, Germany, Jerez, Mosel, Navarra, Penedes, Priorat, Rheingau, Rhone, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Roussillon, Spain

Market expertise: Europe, France, Germany, Netherlands, Russia, Spain

Specialisms: Blending, HORECA, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Importation, Marketing wine, Routes to market, Supermarket and multiple retail