1999

The Iranian president, Mohammad Khatami required wine to be removed from the official banquet table. However, French officials have argued that Elysée diner represents France's showcase, in which wine occupies an important place. Due to the major part, wine plays in a French diner, none of them refused to let go.

During the same year, Italy faced the same diplomatic incident and agreed to remove win bottles from the diner table.

Wine at the Elysée : a recurring ground for tensions 

 2004 

The french delegate ministry for foreign trade, François Loos and the Iranian trade minister were having a diplomatic diner at the Finance department in Bercy. Once again, due to the presence of wine on the table, the Iranians were threatening to leave. In this case, Iranians finally conceded that the customs of the inviting puissance prevail on the traditions of the guest country.

 2009 

A diner between the French President Sarkozy and the Iraqi Prime Minister was cancelled as the latter refused to eat the Elysée if wine was served during diner.

As a consequence, it is possible to conclude that alcohol has been a recurring ground for tensions, especially with Muslims heads of state. Finally, a compromise was adopted and consisted in serving wine in opaque carafes. Although, no one is fooled by this technic, both the honor and the tradition are satisfied.

Cancellation of a diplomatic affairs diner

Elysée has cancelled a diner with the Irani President, Hassan Rohani as the latter expressly called for the withdrawal of wine on the table.

Although the Elysée is used to respect the wishes of Muslim heads of state regarding Halal dishes, they refused to satisfy his second demand. Indeed, according to the Elysée protocol, "wine has never been removed of the table within our country".

A brief look into old archives demontrates that wine was actually served during meal with other Muslim leaders.

A Château-Latour 1998 and a Puligny-Montrachet Premier cru for the Saudi Arabian king.

Nevertheless, the Iranians remained adamant. Thus, rescheduling the diner in a breakfast seemed to be the only solution.

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