Macron’s UK State Visit: A Look Back at the Royal Banquet’s Anglo-French Culinary Diplomacy

While not breaking news, a past state banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla for President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, at Windsor Castle showcased a fascinating blend of Anglo-French culinary and vinous traditions. The event, which marked the conclusion of the first day of Macron’s UK visit, featured an official menu highlighting both nations’ strengths.

The wine selection was particularly noteworthy, including prestigious Bordeaux First Growth Château Haut-Brion 1996 and a grand cru white Burgundy, Etienne Sauzet Corton-Charlemagne 2022. Signifying a modern twist, an English sparkling wine with French heritage, Domaine Evremond’s Classic Cuvée ‘Edition 1’, was served for pre-dinner drinks and the official toast. This specific English sparkling wine, a project of Champagne house Taittinger, was first released the same year as the banquet, underscoring King Charles III’s toast to the UK’s burgeoning winemaking scene. A non-vintage Champagne from Louis Roederer, Carte Blanche NV, also featured.

Chef Raymond Blanc OBE contributed to the dinner’s creation, which included tender summer vegetables, Rhug Estate chicken, and an iced blackcurrant parfait. The menu, following tradition, was presented in French. After-dinner selections included Taylor’s 1977 Vintage Port, matching Macron’s birth year, and a 1948 Grande Champagne Cognac from Frapin & Co, aligning with King Charles’s birth year. This banquet echoed previous encounters, such as a 2023 event at Versailles where Château Mouton Rothschild 2004 was served, further cementing the diplomatic role of fine dining between the two nations.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.