The OIV adventure is concluded, we all go home!
The adventure began long ago in November 2010, from then many new friendships have been made, many stamps on my passport, many wineries visited, many wines tasted….
Students in Champagne
After a long time we have returned to the OIV headquarters in Rue d’Aguesseau in Paris in exactly the same room where, 15 month previously we had began our Master course. We are here for two weeks lessons and exams.
But now it is different, now I can say: Diplȏme International de l’OIV in Management du Secteur de la Vigne et du Vin “done”.
During these months I really have learnt many things regarding production, sales and marketing of wines, in 21 nations. In every wine producing area together with my colleague we have had lessons regarding the production specificities, sometimes in the courses organized by the universities such as Davis WE have visited wineries very different one from the other, and in some cases legendary, such as Opus One, Taylor, Terres, Dr. Loosen, Maison Luis Jadot, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau Margaux, Chateau d’Yquem … tasting all sorts of wines and meeting unique people such as Nicolas Joly the biodynamic wine guru, or the famous MW and journalist Jancis Robinson, or the Wine Spectator taster for French wines.
But, while frequenting the Master OIV one doesn’t only learn “technique”,
Paris - OIV master
but also how to live with just one 20Kg suitcase for 1 month. One learns how to all together in a group always together night and day where everyone has different necessities, room mates who snore, people of different ages, all putting up with the shortage of sleeping time and the fatigue caused by constant moving about by car and plane.
The OIV Master is different to the others because it gives you the opportunity to become a member of a sort of exclusive club: The association of students and graduates of the OIV today counts more than 330 members who are wine professionals from 23 different nations. A dynamic association that creates a network made up of collaborators and friends have had the same wonderful experience of the Master.
Last Friday, as soon as we had finished the last written exam, we celebrated with Champagne brought by our colleague Charlotte de Sousa who, for the occasion, had brought some bottles directly from her family’s domaine. But, a group of 20 finishes rather quickly a few bottles of Champagne so that’s when the question: “Michel, can you open the wine cellar downstairs? After 11 months of Master you have to do it!”, obviously there was a negative reply but however it was fun.
After many toasts and a wonderful evening together in a Paris pub we said our goodbyes with many “I’ll come and visit soon!” And just as many “I’ll we expecting you!”
Well, now it’s all over, I am sure that even if I were to go back in time I would do it again, I know that I have been lucky, I have matured a lot and for this reason I would advise this course for anybody wanting to work in wine and who as a great passion for it
What is sure is that this past year’s images will remain in my mind all my life.
Violante Gardini