The Cité du Vin symposium “Is there a future for wine without culture?” is now available to watch on demand!

The Cité du Vin symposium “Is there a future for wine without culture?” is now available to watch on demand!

11 March 2026

A symposium on the links between wine and culture is now available to watch on demand!

On 13 February 2026, as part of its 10th-anniversary celebrations, the Cité du Vin organised its first ever symposium, open to all, entitled “Is there a future for wine without culture?”.

Over the course of a day in Bordeaux, experts, researchers, industry representatives, elected officials and cultural figures took part in a series of lectures and round-table discussions to discuss the role of culture in supporting the transformations taking place in the wine sector.

🎥 Watch the replay of the symposium now!

Replay of the symposium (full)

A highlight of the cultural programme at the Cité du Vin in 2026

Entitled ‘Is there a future for wine without culture?’, this symposium was entirely devoted to a topical issue: how can the cultural sector support the wine industry during this period of change?

The discussions focused in particular on three key issues 🎯:

  • Enhancing the sector’s appeal against a backdrop of profound change
  • Forging partnerships between culture, tourism, the wine industry and regional public policy
  • Renewing forms of engagement to support the ecological and societal transitions in the wine sector
From the place of wine in our past and present societies to the new narratives surrounding wine, via regional and tourism policies, the event brought together around ten speakers from different backgrounds and disciplines to exchange perspectives and identify concrete courses of action.

Open to both the general public and professionals, it was organised as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Cité du Vin, under the patronage of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
      Round-table discussion with five speakers at the symposium "Is there a future for wine without culture?"

      Leading experts

      The symposium was hosted and moderated by Claudia Ferrazzi, founder and chair of the Viarte agency.

      Opening of the symposium

      • Sylvie Cazes, President of the Foundation for Wine Culture and Civilisation.
      • Bernard Farges, President of the National Committee of Interprofessional Organisations for Wines with Designation of Origin and Geographical Indication (CNIV).
      • Jérôme Sourrisseau, Vice-President of the National Association of Elected Representatives for Vineyards and Wine (ANEV).
      • Maylis Descazeaux, Regional Director of Cultural Affairs for the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
      • John Barker, Director-General of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
      Introduction by Pascaline Lepeltier, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Meilleure Sommelière de France, and philosopher.

      WATCH THE REPLAY


      Wine, crises and resilience

      • Speech by Olivier Jacquet, Research Engineer in Contemporary History and Project Manager at the UNESCO Chair in Wine Cultures and Traditions at the University of Burgundy.
      He looks back at the various crises and major challenges the industry has faced since the phylloxera epidemic, and shows us how, despite everything, it has managed to remain resilient, innovate and shape the wine world of today.

      WATCH THE REPLAY


      Wine: is it time to reinvent the imagery?

      • Speech by Véronique Lemoine, scientific curator of the permanent exhibition at the Cité du Vin and scientific manager of the Foundation for Wine Culture and Civilisations, Bordeaux. 
      By exploring the ideas that may lie behind culture, she demonstrates just how much culture underpins wine.

      WATCH THE REPLAY


      Culture as a support for the wine industry: what role for museums?

      • Laure Ménétrier, Director of the Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology Museum in Epernay.
      What does running a wine museum involve? Laure Ménétrier explores the role of a wine museum – a heritage and cultural institution with a focus on tourism – as a partner to the wine industry.

      WATCH THE REPLAY


      Cultural routes and Wine culture stakeholders in France and Europe

      • Emanuela Panke, President of Iter Vitis, Les chemins de la vigne, cultural route of the Council of Europe
      She highlights the importance of the link between viticulture and culture through a presentation of the “Cultural Routes” programme and the “Wine culture stakeholders” in France and Europe, and opens a dialogue with other speakers to explore the activities of the wine and cultural stakeholders present at this round-table discussion :

      • Edouard Mognetti, Director of the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne
      • Vanessa Ferey, museologist, Director of the Association Les Savoir-Faire du Cognac
      • Carmen Bengoechea, Director of Customer Relations at the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture
      • Philippe Massol, Director of the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux

      WATCH THE REPLAY


      How do cultural, educational and tourism policies support the industry?

      A cultural programme developed in partnership with the Department for Education and the CIVB, the expansion of wine tourism bus services, a campaign to promote local wines among the city’s restaurateurs, the creation of an escape game in the cellars, and the listing of a vineyard plot as a Historic Monument… Through examples of specific projects, the speakers at this round-table discussion highlight the range of initiatives available to support the wine industry :

      • Brigitte Bloch, Bordeaux City Councillor for Tourism and Wine Economy
      • Raphaël Dupin, Director of Cap Sciences
      • Joël Boueilh, President of Plaimont and Vignerons Coopérateurs de France
      • Nathalie Kaltenbach, President of Iter Vitis France, Mayor, Councillor for Alsace and President of Alsace Destination Tourisme

      WATCH THE REPLAY


      Towards new ways of consuming wine and new images of wine

      • A speech by Gaspard Jaboulay, Director of Qualitative Studies - Opinion and Business Strategy Department, French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP)., and Krystel Lepresle, General Delegate of Vin et Société
      They provide an overview of emerging trends in wine consumption and usage, and conclude with recommendations and outlooks for the sector.

      WATCH THE REPLAY


      Closing remarks

      • Marion Demossier, Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Southampton, qualified member of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

      WATCH THE REPLAY

      The Cité du Vin Auditorium: a meeting place for professionals in Bordeaux!

      Are you planning to organise a business event in Bordeaux soon?

      The symposium “Is there a future for wine without culture?” took place in the Thomas Jefferson Auditorium. This venue, which combines original architecture with state-of-the-art facilities, can add a touch of surprise and character to your events, whether they are symposiums or:

      • themed gatherings
      • conferences
      • congresses
      • theatre performances
      • concerts
      • dance performances…

      And the best part? The adjoining La Fayette meeting rooms can be transformed into reception areas or relaxation spaces for your breaks, lunches, cocktail receptions or exhibition stands, with views over the gardens of the Cité du Vin, the Garonne and the Chaban-Delmas Bridge!

      Discover all our venues available for private hire
      auditorium Cité du Vin