ボルドー最高評議会
the Grand conseil du vin de bordeaux
CommanderIES, wine brotherhoods

For the Commanderie de Bordeaux in Berlin, the Ceremony of Handover of Power took place on 16^th May 2023 at the French Embassy in Berlin, beginning at 7 pm.

Jean-Marc Dulong, Vice-Grand Maître of the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux presided over this ceremony to present the title of Maître Emérite to Harald Wiedmann, giving sincerest thanks from the Grand Conseil:

“Harald, the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux thanks you so much for all the work done during these last years at the head of the Commanderie de Bordeaux in Berlin, created in 2003. You brought to this Commanderie an atmosphere of conviviality and friendship, always keeping your role as Ambassador of Bordeaux wine. All our warmest thanks, Dear Harald, as well as all our gratitude.”

Peter Baumgardt – Grand Maître of the Commanderies de Bordeaux in Germany then gave his own speech to Harald Wiedmann to thank him too for all he had accomplished as Maître of the Commanderie de Bordeaux in Berlin.

Jean-Marc Dulong proceeded afterwards with the induction of the new Maître of this Commanderie in Berlin, Dr. Philipp Grossmann.

The French Ambassador to Germany Mr. François Delattre honoured this occasion with his presence and greeted the participants with a speech of welcome. The Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux also inducted Mr Delattre, presenting him with the title of Honorary Member.

 The Attaché for cultural affairs, Cyril Blondel and the Attaché for agricultural affairs from the French Embassy were also in attendance at this ceremony and evening reception.

A formal dinner followed this Handover of Power ceremony. Present at the dinner were nineteen Commandeurs of the Commanderie de Bordeaux à Berlin (two female Commandeurs) and six guests.

Marc-Aurel von Dewitz, member of our privy council (Geheimer Rat) made a speech about the history of our twenty years old Commanderie. Harald Wiedmann spoke about his years as a Maître, during which we more than doubled the number of Commandeurs and we had only excellent wine tastings in the most exciting locations including the most prestigious Châteaux in Bordeaux.

Before the dinner a warm welcome was given by the Ambassador. During dinner the Grand Maître of the Commanderies de Bordeaux in Germany spoke and the new Grand Maître of the Grand Conseil Jean Marc Dulong had some very warm and friendly words: he announced that he would try to welcome the Berlin Commanderie during visit Bordeaux during October 12 till October 15. At the end of our dinner the hand-over of power was celebrated and Maître Philipp Grossmann thanked Maître Emerite Harald Wiedmann, as well as the guests and Commandeurs.

The Commanderie de Bordeaux in Berlin was inaugurated in 2003 and marks its 20^th anniversary this year in 2023.