Charles Rousseau will be remembered as one of the world`s great Burgundy wine ambassadors.

After graduating in oenology from the Université de Dijon in 1945, he went to work with his father, who in 1954 bought the parcel of Clos-Saint-Jacques in the name of Charles.

In 1959, following his father`s sudden death in a car crash, Charles Rousseau took over the Domaine Rousseau reins, continuing his father`s work by buying a number of Grands Crus: plots of Chambertin Clos de Bèze in 1961, 1989 and 1992; plots of Chambertin in 1983, 1990 and 1993; and the monopole Clos des Ruchottes in 1977.

Pre-empting the arrival of `high fashion` viticulture, and using both English and German languages as well, he developed the commercialisation of wine, especially in the US, at a time when the majority of Burgundian winemakers sold to traders. `We affix our name on the label,` he said, `we must be the best possible.’

A tireless ambassador of the wines of Burgundy, he was an lover and maker of Burgundy wines, one of the best of the 20th century. `A legend has died today but his wines are always there to make us dream,` said Gérard Basset OBE MW and Burgundy critic for Decanter.com.

Charles Rousseau is survived by his son Eric, who manages Domaine Rousseau, and his daughter Corinne.