“A great lady of wine” – South West

Cesar Compadre

c.compadre@sudouest.fr

All his friends were there: Francis Ford Coppola Jean Ormesson Bernard Kouchner and Jack Lang. It was in June 2011, in the small village of Mousset, in the commune of Pauillac (33). Bright sunshine. In Bordeaux, 60 miles away, stood Vinexpo. The global meeting place for wine and spirits. As a symbol of his life, Philippine de Rothschild met with her at the heart of the Medoc, the two worlds that were his: those of wine and entertainment, and even celebrities.

It was on the occasion of the inauguration of the new cellars of Château Clerc Milon, one of its properties in AOC Pauillac (see cons below). For this prestigious dinner, a large tent was mounted at the foot of vine plots. And the hostess, as always, remembered how she liked to party and share.

Suffering and decreased following a major operation, Philippine de Rothschild died Friday night in Paris at the age of 80. After a career in Paris in the theater and film, the actress arrived in Pauillac there just a quarter of a century. She takes after her father, Philippe de Rothschild, who, until the last moment, took care of the wine business this famous family name. She was his only daughter. A change of life at age 55.

“It was a great lady of wine” confesses Jean-Michel Cazes, his neighbor Pauillac (Chateau Lynch-Bages) and president of the label. “We had to see her wearing the colors of its properties worldwide. It was also a citizen of Pauillac, locally involved, as was his father. “A father also buried in a private vault, the property of Mouton Rothschild.

“She had a strong character … Both owner and also involved on a daily basis to manage the group. Spending his time between Paris and Pauillac, while traveling so much, “confesses a former home setting. “Being in his service and that of his company was like a priesthood. But, undoubtedly, it has prospered the family inheritance. His business is structured, consistent and profitable. “

From an artistic and passionate temperament, Philippine de Rothschild was also known in the world of wine and out. Political worlds, entertainment or culture, built bridges across it, with a simple goal: to bring great wines in the galaxy of luxury and refinement.

When we see that today represent the great wines (! And price), it is clear that this work – also conducted by other owners – has paid off. There is now much more than wine in these prestigious bottles …

Children relay

You should have seen, at trade shows or other events, kissing each, tu others get excited about. A theatrical and open side which never left her. Until gestures. With nearly to abhor. At Mouton Rothschild, his “palace”, she often received. In mid-June 2007, during a dinner at Vinexpo is home Christine Lagarde is from the Department of Agriculture, where she had just returned to the Fillon government at Bercy. Alain Juppe, defeated in parliamentary, leaving the government and the cards were redistributed across departments.

It’s always Mouton she did last year one of his last public appearances, during the inauguration of the new cellars of the property. Still assembling his two passions, a renowned stage designer at the same oversaw the work, a rarity for a vineyard. In the presence of her friend Bernadette Chirac, Philippine de Rothschild had trouble pronouncing his speech to a thousand guests. Fatigue, but also to advance energy already costs. Beside her, her great son, Philip and Julian. As a handover.

The mother of three children (she also has a daughter) will mark the history of Bordeaux. On Sheep, during work, she wanted to give a beautiful place into a museum to his heart. It includes all labels designed by the greatest artists to decorate every year the new vintage of the castle. Art and wine are but one.