The Belgian Senate, slated for dissolution by 2029, may see one of its most unusual legacies vanish along with it: a forgotten wine cellar that once housed over 2,000 bottles of fine wine. According to reports from De Morgen, only around 200 bottles remain, many of which are likely undrinkable, prompting questions over whether the remaining stock should be sold, donated, or left to collect dust.
Concealed behind an unmarked door beneath the Senate’s 18th-century building, the wine cellar consists of two modest rooms. These rooms, now coated with dust, are lined with aging shelves and faded tasting notes. Over the years, the cellar has hosted a number of notable guests, including former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, who sampled an Alsatian white wine during a 2000 visit.
The cellar, however, has been out of use for many years. The last known occasion it was accessed was in 2009 by a Slovakian delegation. In 2010, there was an attempt to sell the remaining stock for €20,000, but this plan was shelved, much like the eventual closure of the Senate itself.
The wine cellar has become a symbol of political tradition, with anecdotes surrounding its history. Guy Verhofstadt, the former Belgian prime minister and current Member of the European Parliament, is said to have orchestrated informal visits to the cellar during his time in the Senate in the 1990s. These visits, often humorously referred to as ‘expeditions,’ were enhanced by Verhofstadt’s personal selection of Italian wines. Senate staff confirm the visits took place, though not with the flair of an adventure movie.
Over time, the cellar has become a relic of a bygone era, one where long lunches and ceremonial toasts were part of the political culture. Today, plenary sessions are held in the morning, and caterers supply their own wines for the occasional reception. Interestingly, the Senate’s wine collection has never included any Belgian wines—a point of mild regret among current staff. “If it were to be replenished today, Belgian quality wines would certainly be included,” a Senate spokesperson remarked to De Morgen.
As the Senate nears its end, the fate of its wine cellar and its remaining stock remains uncertain, raising questions about the preservation of this peculiar piece of political history.
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