Welcome to the Areni Global podcast. Today’s episode is entitled “From Australia to the Place de Bordeaux”. Host Pauline Vicard sits down with Tom Portet to talk about the wines included in the Place de Bordeaux. Tom plays a pivotal role in curating top-tier wines, ensuring they meet stringent quality standards before representation on the Place de Bordeaux and subsequent distribution. He emphasizes scrutinizing estates, assessing their essence in Bordeaux and their global presentation in the fine wine realm. Factors like typicity, history, and performance in secondary markets weigh in on defining exceptional fine wines. Tom values the confidence in the estates' representation and the competence of individuals associated with them. The network's exposure to the finest wines remains pivotal, underscoring the significance of both wine and personnel credibility in this intricate selection process. Tune in and join us!  More about today’s guest Tom Portet: MBA (HEC - Paris), B. Ag. Sci (Hons) & B. Comm. (Melbourne University) Raised in the vineyards of a family spread out across the world, Tom is the 10th generation of the family to be in the wine business. He advanced through global corporate wine positions on his own merits, before establishing International First Growths & AFG Wines - working with La Place de Bordeaux's unrivaled network of wine buyers and markets. An experienced buyer, Tom is responsible for providing wine producers strategic feedback in order to build their reputation and prestige distribution around the world. Learn more about guest Tom Portet: https://internationalfirstgrowths.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-portet-aba8254/ https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/laplacedebordeaux/ More about today’s host:  Pauline Vicard is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Areni Global. She was born and raised into a winemaking family in Burgundy, and she has been working in the wine sector for the last 15 years both in Europe and Internationally, in the market research department of the Burgundy wine office and the French Embassy, before creating her own corporate wine events and education company in Lille, France. She moved to London in 2015 to spearhead the Wine Library of the unique and acclaimed Clerkenwell London, a multi-space design destination, before developing the concept of Fine Minds 4 Fine Wines with Nicole Rolet that led to the creation of Areni Global. Pauline now directs all Areni’s activities, when she is not studying for the Master of Wine exam or playing ultimate frisbee. Learn more about Areni Global: Website: https://areni.global/ Facebook: @FM4FW Twitter: @areniglobal Instagram: @areniglobal Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/areni-global/ If you want to read the cliff notes on today’s interview, just head to https://areni.global/research/podcasts/   Thank you for joining us today! “Through a comprehensive research and publication programme, ARENI exists to inform, inspire and empower those invested in the future of Fine Wine”