The French government has selected the city of Dijon to host the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), a choice that must nonetheless still be ratified in October by member states.
“The French Ministry of Agriculture has just announced its choice: the city of Dijon has been proposed to the OIV member states to host the future headquarters,” the OIV announced on Twitter. The installation in Dijon of organization’s headquarters must be done “by its centenary in 2024,” said the government in a statement released Monday evening. France has been the host state of the organization since its creation in 1924.
The capital of Burgundy was competing with Bordeaux and Reims to host the site of the institution, which possesses scientific and technical expertise, and is considered the “UN of wine”. The organization is currently based in Paris, in the eighth arrondissement.
The socialist mayor of Dijon, François Rebsamen, was delighted with “this great ambition” for his city, which has has been able to bring together the world of wine, as well as the academic world.
We have proposed an exceptional site 200 meters from the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin
François Rebsamen, Mayor of Dijon
The OIV is composed of 48 member states and has a network of more than 1000 experts in the wine sector. It is the Hotel d’Esterno, a 17th century mansion in Dijon, which has been proposed to host the future Burgundy headquarters.
In Bordeaux, Bernard Farges, president of the Bordeaux Wine Trade Council (CIVB), said he was disappointed. “When we participate in a game, it is to win. This time we lost.”
The mayor of Dijon announced that general assembly of the OIV will be held in Dijon to definitively validate the process at the end of October. He added that there were still “some countries to convince”, including Russia. The OIV recalled on Twitter that a decision of the 48 member countries by unanimity is required.
