My farewell wine tasting
Yesterday was the occasion of my farewell to the OECD wine tasting club, my favourite social club in France. We will be leaving France on 27 June, and the next club tasting will be on the first Friday of July.
This club was born in 1982 when a group of OECD economists (notably Bob and Andrew) went to a Parisian wine bar for lunch. They concluded that it was better to buy some wine, cheese and pate, and enjoy them at someone’s home.
Ever since, this has been the model. The club is somewhat exclusive in that it is limited to about 15 members, with the assumption that at each tasting there might be 12 tasters.
I was admitted in 1987, 12 months after I joined the OECD. I took the seat of another Australian, who had just left the OECD. In the early days, we were all working, but now three-quarters are retired.
The club is very special in terms of the bonds of friendship that we enjoy on a regular monthly basis. Then there are the wines, carefully chosen by President Bob from his extraordinary cellar. And of course there is the generosity of spirit of Doug who regularly hosts us at his apartment, and Peter who manages finances and logistics.
Yesterday brought together just eight of us. We are now in the public holiday season in France.
Bob brought together four wonderful Italian wines, two reds and two whites:
San Giusto a Rentennano “Percarlo” Sangiovese di Toscana 2018
Isole e Olena “Cepparello”, Toscana 2010
Isola et Olena Collezione Privata Chardonnay Toscana 2018
Soave Classico DOC, “Coste” Domìni Veneti 2021
These wines were all very good. I have a limited exposure to Italian wines, but am always very pleased by their quality.
My French friends all imagine that France has a monopoly on great wines. But that is not the case. Italy is a very credible rival.
Saying farewell to the boys yesterday was sad. I promised to make a return visit next year. Let’s hope that I can keep that promise.