Premier cru cousins interviewed together for first time

Opus One narrowly escaped being named after a San Francisco gay bar, and Baron Eric de Rothschild feels 'like a movie star' at tastings.

These are just two of the revelations made by cousins Philippine de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Eric de Rothschild of Chateau Lafite Rothschild in the January 2009 issue of Decanter, in their first-ever interview together.

Photographed on the border of their two main properties, the cousins stress that theirs is a relationship built upon a longstanding friendship.

‘We’ve always got on, often talk things over together, and sometimes argue,’ Baroness de Rothschild told Decanter. ‘Our friendship was on top of Lafite and Mouton.’

Baroness de Rothschild prefers focusing on the commercial side of the winery, while Baron de Rothschild get involved in blending.

‘When you’ve been drinking Lafite all your life – and I learnt to love Lafite at minus six months, in the womb – you know the style of the wine by osmosis.’

He also said he never serves great wine at a lunch with bankers, while Baroness de Rothschild concurs that to be enjoyed, great wine requires concentration – but doesn’t believe connoisseurs are the only ones who can appreciate it.

‘I don’t agree with those who say you shouldn’t pour a great wine to someone who isn’t a connoisseur. That’s ridiculous,’ she said.

‘I can tell by looking at the leftover bottles which wines were enjoyed most.’

Written by Maggie Rosen