Emmanel Macron Opens Presidential Wine Cellar To Public For the First Time
Date£º
2018-09-18 17:33 Source£º
www.thedrinksbusiness.com Author:
Edith Hancock Translator:
France¡¯s presidential wine cellar in the Elys¨¦e Palace has officially opened to the public, in a move by president Emmanel Macron intended to promote national heritage.
Around 350 members of the public were granted access to the vast cellars over the weekend after registering for a tour online. They were also treated to a tour of the underground kitchen, cellar and florist rooms.
¡°This is the first time we¡¯ve opened the cellar to the public,¡± Virginie Routis, the Elys¨¦e¡¯s head sommelier, told Europe 1 radio.
The French presidential wine cellar, created in 1947, holds 14000 bottles. Although all of France¡¯s principal wine regions are represented, around 50% of the collection comprises of wines from Bordeaux, while a quarter are from Bourgogne, all of which are served to government officials and diplomats visiting the president¡¯s official headquarters.
¡°The wine is chosen according to the menu. I make a selection¡Madame and Monsieur Macron also get to approve the choice. We really have to represent French gastronomy so you have to choose wines that speak to a given foreign delegation.¡±
The cellar was opened to the public as part of France¡¯s Heritage Days, which give the public access to a number of listed and historic buildings across the country.
(https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2018/09/emmanuel-macron-opens-presidential-wine-cellar-to-public-for-the-first-time/)