Our Man in Burgundy

Jasper Morris is our Wine Club buyer in Burgundy. When he’s not rebuilding dry stone walls, Jasper can be found out in the vineyards of Burgundy – selecting the very best wines for Berrys’ Wine Club.

Q Who are you and what do you do?
A I am Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Director at Berrys and responsible for all things Burgundian.

Q What does your average day look like?
A There is no set routine. Some of the time I am at a desk in Basingstoke, with frequent visits to St James’s to lead customer tastings or other promotional events. Much of the time I am out in the vineyards, sniffing out exciting up-and-coming new producers, making my buying decisions with those we work with regularly and looking for a few special parcels to offer to Wine Club members.

Q When and how did you get into wine?
A 1979. I didn’t want to be a lawyer.

Q What’s an MW, and why are you one?
A Master of Wine. I passed the rigorous exam (it takes a full week of papers, some written, some tasting) in 1985. It’s a great thing for anybody who wants to be a leader in the Wine Trade to tackle while they are young and enthusiastic. There are about 280 Masters of Wine worldwide.

Q Which wine region is your favourite and why?
A Burgundy – it has always been regarded as one of the world’s greatest wine regions. It has a very similar soil type to my native Hampshire, as it happens, producing wonderful white Chardonnays and the greatest red Pinots anywhere. I also find the approach of the vignerons, who are so passionate about the quality of the wine they produce, very stimulating.

Q Which others do you think are interesting?
A I love my annual trip to Bordeaux to taste the primeurs, but otherwise I would select New Zealand for Pinot Noir and the Mosel for great Riesling. And I’m starting to get interested in Beaujolais again.

Q When and how did you first start working at Berrys?
A I got a phone call in 2003 asking if I wanted to sell my importing business, Morris & Verdin, to Berrys. It seemed like a perfect fit as they were looking to add greater depth to their Burgundian range and I was about ready to move on from managing a business. It was time to return to my first love of buying.

Q What is the Berrys’ Wine Club and what’s your involvement with it?
A Berrys’ Wine Club is for customers who like to receive mixed cases of wines that have been hand-picked by myself and my buying colleagues. These are delivered with full tasting notes every other month at favourable prices. I select and describe the Burgundy wines which we offer to the Club.

Q What do you do that doesn’t involve wine?
A Play cricket, rebuild dry stone walls, walk in the hills.

Q Tell us one fact we don’t know – about wine, or anything else?
A Sweden, and only Sweden, celebrated 30th February in 1712 (and only 1712!).

Great wines, great offers – save up to £90 when you join Berrys’ Wine Club

Berrys’ Wine Club offers a hand-picked selection of quality wines delivered to your door every other month. As well as being the most convenient way to enjoy great wines, you’ll also pay at least 15% less for all Club wines and receive invitations to events not available to non-members. Your first case is half price – saving you up to £90. Sign up today