TALKING ABOUT WINE WITH SUSANNA AGNELLI - NOSTALGIA FOR CHATEAU MAARGAUX, SOLD BY THE FAMILY IN 2003, AND SOLIDARITY WITH ITALIAN WINE: THE THEMES OF THE WINENEWS INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WOMEN OF MODERN ITALIAN HISTORY

“Château Margaux” is the first name that is pronounced, with a hint of nostalgia, by Susanna Agnelli, an important exponent of one of the most important families of Italy, when asked of family memories connected to wine. This was the response of the ex-deputy, senator and then Foreign Minister of the Italian Republic (and the only women to ever hold this role) in a recent interview with WineNews.

“Château Margaux because, apart from the fact that it was a beautiful castle, the wine was truly fantastic. Chateau Margaux is one of the saddest things that we sold”.
The sale that took place in March 2003, when the Agnelli family sold its 75% share controlled through IFI (Industrial Financial Institute) to Corinne Mentzelopoulos, the administrator of the noble wines since 1981.

The wine, however, did not just remain a memory, but continues to live with Susanna Agnelli and her foundation “Il Faro”, which has organized the “Fine & Rare Wines Auction” for the past five years to collect funds for charity. And WineNews asked why wine, more than any other product, has become so involved in actions of solidarity, both in its proposition and realization of charity projects as well as an “object” that is sold to collect funds. Agnelli’s response was short but significant:

“Because wine is a totally Italian thing and, fortunately, solidarity exists in Italy”.

So if wine is a totally Italian thing, can it therefore be considered the ambassador for Italian goods abroad?
“I would say yes, also because, today, Italian wine has had incredible success, like in the United States”.

In today’s times of economic crisis luxury wine, in particular, could be considered a “refuge good” as good as gold. Is this an idea that fits well for wine, or do you have another concept of it?

“No, I think that wine is for drinking, not for keeping”.
And, today, if you, Susanna Agnelli, who comes from an undeniably entrepreneurial family, had to start a new entrepreneurial adventure, would you do it in the wine sector?

“Yes, probably, yes, if I wasn’t so old”.