Review of the celebration at the OIV headquarters in Dijon
Review of the celebrationation the OIV headquarters to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the organisation on 29 November 2024. Allwinestories.com and its founder, Marinos Skolarikos, were there and bring you the pulse of the events of that historic day.
To celebrate the rich history of the organization, various events were held throughout the year and around the world, including in Greece.
On Friday 29 November, following a special invitation, we attended the headquarters of the World Vine and Wine Organisation in Dijon. The glittering events of 29 November took place at the OIV headquarters in the historic Hotel Bouchu d'Esterno building in Dijon in the heart of Burgundy.
A building built between 1640 and 1643 by Jean Bouchu, first president of the Burgundy parliament, the Hôtel Bouchu d'Esterno follows the tradition of the great aristocratic mansions of the reign of Louis XIII, with its main courtyard, the grand staircase and the succession of rooms with French ceilings, the limestone, with façades interrupted horizontally by continuous, slightly overhanging frames and accentuated by visible representations in the corners and around the friezes with small windows.
At this time, the layout and reception areas of the old 17th century hotel were partially renovated and reconstructed, as were the corridors, to ensure a coherent layout and function. Thanks to this work, which lasted until 1932, the building now had the appearance of a 17th century aristocratic residence, with decoration inspired by both the 17th century and later periods, the 18th and 19th centuries.
In this historic building, the halls of the OIV are harmoniously integrated and well adapted to the needs of the OIV. The amphitheatre room is located in the first basement where the staff of the organisation attended:
DG John Barker, OIV President Yvette van der Merwe,1st Vice President Luigi Moio, Deputy DG Yann Juban, Head of unit viticulture Enrico Battisto, Head of Statistics and Digital Transformation Giorgio Delgrossohe Public Relations Manager Daniela Costa and Project Manager Solange Slack and announced a retrospective analysis of global trends in vine and wine over the century and revealed the first estimates for wine production in 2024.
On this special date, John Barker, Director General of the Organisation, presented the preliminary results of an excellent study reviewing the Vine and Wine Sector over the course of its century. This analysis covers data collected from 79 wine producing countries.
In addition, John Barker presented the OIV's new strategic plan, which will be accessible on our website in early 2025.
Giorgio Delgrosso, head of the OIV's statistical service, also presented the first estimates of wine production in 2024.
Marinos Skolarikos
At this point, the journalists were asked to put questions to DG John Barker.
Journalist and founder of Allwinestories Marinos Skolarikos, the question about low alcohol wines and how this trend will affect consumption in the future.
DG John Barker replied that it is a difficult answer as there is not enough data and the number of consumers of these wines is small to date.
In her first official appearance as OIV's President, Yvette van de Merwe said the following.
The year 2024 marks an important milestone in the world of viticulture. As we celebrate 100 years since the founding of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), it is a moment to reflect on the past, acknowledge the present and envision the future of the wine industry...
November 2024 is not just another month on the calendar; it represents a century of dedication to the wine sector. This date commemorates the signing of the founding treaty of the International Wine Office, which has played a key role in shaping the global wine landscape.
As we approach this centenary celebration, Yvette van der Merwe has proposed 29 November as International Vine and Wine Day. This initiative aims to formalize a day dedicated to recognizing the contribution of the vine and wine sector worldwide. The proposal will be submitted for adoption at the next General Assembly in June 2025.
In the spirit of this milestone, it is necessary to look back on the achievements of the OIV over the past century. The organisation has played a key role in promoting international cooperation among wine producing countries, setting standards for wine quality and promoting sustainable practices in the industry.
- International cooperation: The OIV has brought together 50 member states, creating a global platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas.
- Standard setting: The OIV has established international scientific and technical standards to guide wine production, ensuring quality and safety.
- Sustainable practices: A focus on sustainability is more critical than ever, with the OIV leading initiatives that promote environmental stewardship in viticulture.
As we bid farewell to this important milestone, there is a collective call to reflect on the achievements to date. However, it is equally important to dream boldly about the future. The history of vines and wine is still being written, and the OIV is at the forefront of this narrative.
Yvette van der Merwe expressed her confidence in the OIV's ability to continue to be a steady author of this story. Her leadership promises to bring new perspectives and innovative ideas to the organisation, ensuring that it remains relevant in a rapidly changing global landscape.
This was followed by the award ceremony of the Pau Roc photography competition, in honour of the late former DG of the OIV.
See here the results as published in our recent article
OIV Centenary Photo Contest Winners Announced
The contest and the winners as well as the production of the special OIV Cuvee Centenaire wine were mentioned by Vice President Luigi Moio. It is a Pinot Noir from the Arbois region in Burgundy.
See here the full description of this anniversary wine
Ricardo Fernandez Nunez- John Barker - Marinos Skolarikos
The owner of the Spanish winery Vinos de la Lu, Ricardo Fernandez Nunez, took the floor as the historic Spanish winery sponsored the photo competition.
This was followed by the inauguration of the Morisson Couderc library in the presence of his son Francois Morisson Couderc. Famed viticulture scientist George Couderc from a young age was a loyal worker of the land. Having become a specialist in viticulture, he constantly deepened his knowledge, while diversifying it. When phylloxera destroyed the vineyards in the late 1860s, his research contributed to the preservation and protection of farms.
The event ended triumphantly with the OIV's 100th birthday party where the President and CEO of oak barrel producer Tonnellerie Cadus gave DG John Barker & OIV President Yvette van der Merwe the front side of a barrel on which the words Happy Birthday OIV were inscribed in several languages.
It was an unprecedented experience for us as Allwinestores.com, the world's leading wine media agency, covered the OIV's flagship event both journalistically and factually.
We would like to thank all the OIV staff for their warm hospitality at the organisation's headquarters in Dijon.
Photo Credit: Allwinestories.com
