OECD wine tasters celebrate 40th anniversary
A highly improbable wine tasting took place yesterday, 2nd December 2022, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the OECD economists’ wine tasting club.
How did we get here?
On 10 December 1982, a “wine luncheon” was held on Andrew Dean’s barge, nicely moored under la Place de la Concorde, Paris. This was held under the leadership of Bob Price.
Two wines were the subject of the luncheon – 1934 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, and 1940 Château Haut-Brion. A bottle of “plonk” was also provided for consumption while the good stuff aired.
Little could these intrepid wine tasters imagine that this event would be inscribed in history. Indeed, this became the inaugural meeting of the OECD economists’ wine tasting club.
So here we were, some four decades on, some 17 wine tasters, to celebrate appreciation of fine wines and merriment. Fortunately, two of the originals were present, Bob and Andrew. Some of the originals have sadly passed away, others have drifted off elsewhere. (I am a relative newcomer, having joined the club in only 1987!)
What did we taste?
We kicked off with a: Champagne Bollinger Grand Année 2007 / Bollinger RD 2002; and a Meursault Perrières 1er Cru Pierre Morey 2005.
Then followed: Chateau Haut Brion 1er GCC Pessac-Léognan 2003; Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan 1986; and Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 1982 (this latter one being my favourite). Bob was brilliant in ensuring that we tasted some of same wines tasted in 1982!
Then we closed with: Chateau Climens GCC Barsac 1988 — a still very remarkable wine.
A wonderful tasting was enjoyed by all. We only hope that we will all be there in ten years time for the 50th anniversary.