French Presidents and Their Wine Preferences
Macron skips grand crus on holiday, favouring a modest Madiran red—blending elegance, tradition, and quiet political symbolism.
The Élysée Palace’s wine cellar may boast grand crus, but President Emmanuel Macron reportedly favors an underrated Madiran red during his vacations; a surprising choice from a small southwestern vineyard.
As Le Figaro Vin notes, French leaders’ wine preferences often carry symbolic weight, reflecting both personal taste and political savvy.
From de Gaulle’s Champagne Drappier to Mitterrand’s Charentais cognacs, each president’s selection has subtly honored France’s viticultural heritage, though Sarkozy famously abstained altogether.
Macron’s return to wine culture, including serving Château Latour at state dinners, contrasts with his holiday simplicity: a €23 bottle from Château D’Aydie, a family-run estate specializing in the robust tannat grape.
The vineyard’s owner, Camille Laplace, expressed pride in Macron’s unexpected patronage, calling the wine "surprisingly elegant, young or aged." Yet the president’s avoidance of pomp, opting for modest auberges over palace orders, hints at a careful balance between tradition and relatability.
While Laplace jokes about awaiting an Élysée order, Macron’s choice underscores a trend: modern leaders may celebrate terroir without ostentation.
