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| Élysée hopes wine auction is a corker | Élysée hopes wine auction is a corker |
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| It is the most refined and thirst-quenching of diplomatic devices that has helped cement ties between France and its international allies. But now the all-French wine cellar of the Élysée presidential palace, which has helped fortify foreign kings, queens and heads of state throughout the decades, is being pared back, with 1,200 bottles being sold at Drouot auction house in Paris on 30 and 31 May. | It is the most refined and thirst-quenching of diplomatic devices that has helped cement ties between France and its international allies. But now the all-French wine cellar of the Élysée presidential palace, which has helped fortify foreign kings, queens and heads of state throughout the decades, is being pared back, with 1,200 bottles being sold at Drouot auction house in Paris on 30 and 31 May. |
| Many of the bottles are at the pinnacle of their shelf life and ready to be drunk immediately. "These are wines that have figured at the presidential table for dinners or receptions," a Drouot spokesperson told Reuters. "Some of them have participated in events linked to the history of the Fifth Republic." | Many of the bottles are at the pinnacle of their shelf life and ready to be drunk immediately. "These are wines that have figured at the presidential table for dinners or receptions," a Drouot spokesperson told Reuters. "Some of them have participated in events linked to the history of the Fifth Republic." |
| The auction, in which wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy will dominate, is expected to fetch about €250,000 (£212,000), some of which will go back into state coffers, according to President François Hollande's entourage. | The auction, in which wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy will dominate, is expected to fetch about €250,000 (£212,000), some of which will go back into state coffers, according to President François Hollande's entourage. |
| It is the latest episode of belt-tightening as France struggles to lower its soaring deficit to appease eurozone partners and find €60bn in public savings over five years. | It is the latest episode of belt-tightening as France struggles to lower its soaring deficit to appease eurozone partners and find €60bn in public savings over five years. |
| Some auction proceeds will be invested in younger, more modest wines that are still worthy of a president's table, especially one who during his election campaign dubbed himself a Mr Normal who eschewed the excesses of his predecessors. | Some auction proceeds will be invested in younger, more modest wines that are still worthy of a president's table, especially one who during his election campaign dubbed himself a Mr Normal who eschewed the excesses of his predecessors. |
| Organisers say prices may reach €2,200 for a 1990 Pétrus down to €15 for a more modest wine. | Organisers say prices may reach €2,200 for a 1990 Pétrus down to €15 for a more modest wine. |
| Called the "divine juice of September" by Voltaire, wine has been produced in France from pre-Roman times and is an integral part of the national heritage. | Called the "divine juice of September" by Voltaire, wine has been produced in France from pre-Roman times and is an integral part of the national heritage. |
| The Élysée wine cellar is a closely guarded national treasure protected by an armoured door. It contains 12,000 bottles overseen by the head sommelier, Virginie Routis. "I choose the wines in terms of the menu, but also in terms of protocol," she told Le Monde daily. "For a head of state, there would be several big labels on the table." | The Élysée wine cellar is a closely guarded national treasure protected by an armoured door. It contains 12,000 bottles overseen by the head sommelier, Virginie Routis. "I choose the wines in terms of the menu, but also in terms of protocol," she told Le Monde daily. "For a head of state, there would be several big labels on the table." |
| The British government similarly auctioned off vintage French wine from its cellar last month as part of an austerity drive. | The British government similarly auctioned off vintage French wine from its cellar last month as part of an austerity drive. |
| Demand remains high for wine from France, the world's leading wine producer by value, especially from affluent buyers in China and the US. China is the world's biggest importer of Bordeaux wines. | Demand remains high for wine from France, the world's leading wine producer by value, especially from affluent buyers in China and the US. China is the world's biggest importer of Bordeaux wines. |
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