The French statesman Prince Charles Maurice Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838) was a colourful personality. A military career was denied him because of a crippled foot. At the age of 34 he already held the office of Bishop of Autun, but was banned by the Pope because of his anti-clerical activities. He also lived for several years as an emigrant in America and, after returning home, held the office of foreign minister under the Directory and Napoleon (1769-1821). From 1806 he opposed the Emperor and became a minister again under the Bourbons. At the Congress of Vienna in 1814/1815, he decisively influenced the reorganisation of Europe. Talleyrand was a pronounced wine lover and also the owner of the famous Château Haut-Brion in the Graves area.
An anecdote illustrates what is meant by the "culture of wine enjoyment". Talleyrand poured a guest one of his finest wines. The latter put on the glass and downed the precious contents in one gulp. The host refilled the glass, but before the guest could drink, the diplomat lectured him: " You don't wash down such a noble wine like beer. You take the glass in your hand first and look at the wine. The astonished guest said: And then? Talleyrand's answer: Then you lift the glass to your nose and enjoy the fragrance of the wine . The guest: But then you can drink it? Talleyrand: No - then you put the glass back and talk about the wine! This saying also comes from him: coffee must be hot as hell, black as the devil, pure as an angel and sweet as love. "
Talleyrand: by Pierre Paul Prud'hon, Public domain, Link
Château Haut-Brion: by BillBl - originally posted to Flickr as Chateau Haut-Brion, CC BY 2.0, Link
