The Monocle Minute

I’m currently experiencing the empty feeling that comes in the immediate aftermath of a major sporting event. I had become used to my evening routine of catching up on the day’s Olympian achievements on TV. And now that the closing ceremony is behind us – and Tom Cruise has, presumably, jetted back to Los Angeles – what next?

“What next?” is perhaps a question that Emmanuel Macron is reluctant to face. For a fortnight he basked in France’s chance to shine on the world stage and enjoyed what the country’s press has been calling the trêve olympique (“the Olympic truce”), in which, following last month’s hung parliament, warring political factions largely agreed to keep a lid on it while all eyes were on Paris. But now that truce is over. And the first task on Macron’s long to-do list is to find a new prime minister, relieving Gabriel Attal of the caretaker role.

Every four years, the Olympics provides us with an opportunity to trot out truisms about the universality of sport and its ability to overcome race, religion and politics. Except, not quite. In other European countries, such as Italy, politicking has continued throughout the Games. Far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni waded into the controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Lega’s Matteo Salvini described the opening ceremony as “disgusting”.

In France, the leftist New Popular Front coalition tried to seize the limelight – even going so far as having Lucie Castets, its choice for prime minister, visit a glass factory in search of column inches before realising the futility of going up against the blanket coverage of the Games. Instead, Macron was allowed to sell his “This is France” brand to an eager global audience. Discussions about a new prime minister are expected to recommence next week. So what next? Maybe, just maybe, French politicians will be able to muster enough of the Olympic spirit to unite over a common cause.

Ed Stocker is Monocle’s Europe editor at large. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.

Thailand’s constitutional court is expected to rule tomorrow on whether the country’s prime minister, Srettha Thavisin of the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), should be removed from office. The judgement will determine whether he violated ethics rules by appointing ex-convict Pichit Chuenban – a close aide of former PTP prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – to the cabinet, despite the constitution requiring ministers to have impeccable moral standards.

There is little doubt that the country’s conservative establishment is using the law to assert its authority and settle political scores. The case was brought by a group of outgoing senators who were appointed by the former military government. The court’s decision comes a week after it decided to dissolve the progressive Move Forward Party. A guilty verdict for Thavisin is less likely but the case could still cause plenty of disruption and strain the PTP-led coalition government. Though the prime minister will mark his first anniversary in the top job later this month, he probably doesn’t feel like popping the champagne just yet.

Abu Dhabi-based technology company Sparklo has created a rewards system to encourage a change in recycling habits across the UAE. The company’s idea is in line with the country’s wider plan to make its economy more environmentally friendly. Sparklo’s concept is simple: fill cities with Sparklomats, machines into which users can feed bottles or cans to earn points that can be redeemed as discounts in shops. This summer it has also partnered with international ride-hailing service Yango on a scheme that allows users to exchange the points for 10 to 20 per cent off taxi fares.

“Helping the environment starts with human behaviour at the point of consumption,” says Max Kaplevich, Sparklo’s CEO. “With this approach, we are treating the root cause instead of just the symptom.” In little more than a year, the company has collected tens of millions of bottles and cans in more than 10 countries and become the Middle East and North Africa region’s largest clean-tech company, helped by partnerships with local governments and big names such as Coca-Cola.

Helen Gunn is the head of brand at Nyetimber, a leading, English producer of sparkling wine. To celebrate the Olympics, Nyetimber partnered with Team GB to produce a limited-edition Classic Cuvée Multi-Vintage bottle, which was given to athletes from the UK. Gunn talks to Monocle about the country’s sparkling-wine industry and how the move was a testament to the country’s soft power.

What did it mean for you to be the official sparkling wine for Team GB?
As a British brand, it has been an honour to back Team GB on the global stage. Nyetimber has been deeply involved, even being present in the Team GB House in Paris, where fans have been able to join in the athletes’ celebrations. We’ve dressed our bottle in a special sleeve for the occasion. English sparkling wine has achieved significant status and recognition globally. And just as the athletes were proud to wear the Union flag and the Team GB logo on their kit, we were proud to have it on our limited-edition bottle.

How much thought goes into balancing the heritage of Nyetimber with presenting yourself as a modern brand?
The estate where our grapes are grown is centuries old but the modern vines were planted in 1988. Nyetimber was the first English sparkling-wine producer to grow the three main sparkling-wine grape varieties. All of our hand-picked grapes are grown exclusively on the estate and we use only the latest technology in our winery. Sustainability is so important for us; we use lighter bottles, for example. So, as pioneers, we have to embrace innovation and modernity but also honour that heritage.

Do you sell Nyetimber in France – and how is it received by the French?
Yes, Nyetimber is sold in France and it has paved the way for the English sparkling-wine industry. A pivotal moment was when Nyetimber’s head winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, won the sparkling winemaker of the year award in 2018, becoming the first person outside France, as well as the first woman, to win it. This recognition reinforced the UK’s reputation for producing high-quality wine. Our bottles are even served at the British embassy in Paris.

To hear the full interview with Helen Gunn, tune in to Thursday’s edition of‘The Monocle Daily’, on Monocle Radio.

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