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onjour! We have chosen to dedicate this
month’s newsletter to a region where Scandinavians settled
in the 5th century. Its fame originated from a spring with
healing powers where many centuries ago Celtic riders from
the East would come to revere their Sun God, Bellenus. Surprisingly
enough this region is today famous, thanks to its numerous
vintage wines, some of which are classified among the best
in the world: Burgundy! But, before continuing, please remember
that you can access and read the last 30 newsletters published
at www.FranceMonthly.com
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| Burgundy: Monks And Wine |
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Burgundy: More Than a Province, Almost a State
It is impossible to describe Burgundy
without mentioning its important historical past. As a matter of fact, this region, for several centuries, had
been a strong power and a true nightmare for the Kings of France. From the time of its annexing by the Francs
in the 6th century and until the 15th century, Burgundy had always claimed a kind of independence. It had often
been offered to the reigning king’s younger son as a privilege, yet because of its strong political powers, the
province always benefited from a special status, especially in the fiscal field. For example the duchy did not need
to pay any indirect tax (except for the "gabelle", this very unpopular tax on salt which was imposed all over the
kingdom of France). In the 15th Century, Philip the Good, one of the founding members of this new State, became
one of the most powerful princes in Europe. A patron, he surrounded himself with an intellectual and artistic Court
and created the Order of the Golden Fleece, a chivalry order intended to unify the nobility around him and the various
Burgundy territories which included Belgium and the Netherlands! Alas, in 1477, when Philip’s son died without a male
heir, Louis XI, who had been repeatedly humiliated by the Burgundy Dukes took this opportunity to invade the region
and definitely claimed it as being part of the Kingdom of France.
L’Hotel-Dieu
The 100 year war finally ended. This, however,
did not bring an end to the suffering of the people of Burgundy. In fact, shameless crooks ruthlessly scattered about
the countryside bringing misery and famine. Desperate, the peasants begged their lords to bring them protection. Nicolas
Rolin, chancellor of Philippe the Good, and his wife, Guigone de Salin heard this cry and in 1433 decided to build a
hospital where the most destitute would be treated. It would take 8 years to finish this magnificent building, built up
against the walls of the city to protect the population from these bandits. Nothing but the best would be used. The
most famous master artisans were called upon for the construction and famous artists brought in for the decoration
of what was supposed to be the "Palace of the Poor". On January 1st, 1452, L’Hotel Dieu welcomed its first patient
and would fulfill its mission until 1971. The buildings have since been modernized and today a rest home occupies it
where it must be quite enjoyable to grow old peacefully.
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| Recipe
for June 2002 |
Floating Island |
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Cooking SOS ! If you
run into trouble with one of our recipes, send
an SOS e-mail to 911@francemonthly.com |
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| The Hospices de Beaune |
As of January 29th, 1454, the Duke of Burgundy,
Philippe the Good, authorized the sick to donate, by testament or during their lifetime, a part, or the entirety
, of their wealth to the Hospital in order to support this charitable organization. This is how the public health
establishment would acquire a substantial endowment over many years. From these numerous donations, the
domain of the Hospices is now more than 60 hectares and represents 39 vintage wines, some classified
amongst the best. Since 1859 the sale of the wine is done by auction, on the third Sunday of November
(except for bad harvest years). Following an old tradition, a candle is lit at the beginning of the auction and
at its extinction the auction is over. Preceded by a "degustation" (tasting), the price of each bottle sold at
the auction is a very good indication of the value of the vintage. The profit from this sale directly affects
the modernization of the hospital. It is the largest auction in the world.
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| Where in France is Alésia? |
Jules Cesar, Vercingétorix and Alésia: three
inseparable names and a bitter defeat in Burgundy well known by all young school children of France.
In August, 52 BC, the chief of Gaul, Vercingétorix, is diverted near Dijon by the legions of Cesar. He
decides to retreat and encloses himself and his 80 000 infantrymen into an enclosed fortress in Alesia
located on Mount-Auxois, with enough food for 30 days. He also succeeds in having his horsemen
escape to get reinforcements. The Gallic army returns with no less than 240 000 foot soldiers and 8000
cavaliers. Unfortunately, it arrives too late, after 60 days of siege. Inside the fort, the men are famished
and ready to resort to cannibalism to survive. Unarmed and undisciplined, they will attempt a few assaults
but Cesar’s victory is almost too easy. Vercingétorix will be helpless in front of his army’s defeat.
If historians agree on the details of the battle it is not so for the geographical location of Alésia. 30
sites in France claim to be the scene of the battle. Officially it took place in Alise Sainte Reine (in the
Cotes d’Or region); the most serious "competitor" seems to be Chaux de Crotenay, a few miles south
from Champagnole in the Jura (a mountain located in the north east part of France). Only the French
would want to claim the site of a defeat!.
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| Powerful Monks Despite Themselves: The Cistercians |
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In the middle of the XI Century, when the power of the church is quite significant,
the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny is one of the richest in Europe, especially due to the fees, feudal rights and
donations from which it benefits. It is so prosperous that the monks forget the rules of Saint Benoit, their vow
of poverty, giving up luxury, and on the contrary live in debauchery. Certain monks, offended by such opulence,
leave the abbey in search of solitude and poverty, to rediscover a perfect communion with God. They settle south
of Dijon in a marshy area where the vegetation is limited to "citeaux". In old French, "citeaux" means "where no
one lives, except wild beasts". It is from here that the monks will acquire the name Cistercians. In view of their rupture,
they choose to dress in white, symbol of untainted wool, in opposition to the monks of Cluny, who wear black. The
Cistercians refuse any form of monies and wish to organize their monastic life around work. |
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| The Birth of the One of the Most Famous Vineyard in France |
The Cistercians therefore settle in this marshy, wooded area in order to live in harmony under
the rules of Saint Benoit. But the lords of the area, worried about the atonement of their sins, take them under their
protection. Donations abound, especially in land, which the monks, worried about perfection, transform into rich
vineyards. The Benedictine rules, as strict as they can be, order the drinking of wine, in moderation of course. The
monks therefore cultivate the vine for their own consumption and sell the excess. They built low walls around the
best plots of land, and bring to Burgundy the famous "Clos" landscape. Among them, the Clos de Vougeot which
dates from approximately 1330 is today one of the most renowned vineyards of France.
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| Famous Men Enjoy Burgundy Wines |
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If the Romans brought the vine to Burgundy, the semi-continental climate of the region and the
sunlight favor a good maturation of the grapes. No other region in the world located in such high latitude can
pretend to produce red wine of such an excellent quality. Do we not say that the Dukes of Burgundy were the
"Lords of the best wines of Christianity"?
The Emperor Charlemagne was himself the proud owner of a winery that produced Corton, a wine he enjoyed.
This famous Legend says that in his later years, his movements were quite awkward, and he would often drop
the wine into his flowing white beard. Exasperated, his wife insisted that white grapes be planted on part of their land.
This way there would be no trace of wine on his majesty’s beard.
It is also said that Voltaire would offer his guests either Beaujolais or Languedoc wine, but that he would keep the
Corton for himself. He considered it an elixir of life. "I drink four pints every day (more than three liters). It is a health
matter not a luxury": He would affirm.
J.F. Kennedy was also an amateur of Corton! |
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| No Longer Rebel
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If the province of Burgundy is no longer the rebel it used to be in the Middle Ages
and a threat to the Kings of France, it is nonetheless a beautiful and charming region. If you are
driving to the south of France from Paris, we strongly recommend you make a stop here. Take
this opportunity to visit the "Route des Vins" presented by our partner: The Hospices of Beaune,
the Clos de Vougeot and so many other vineyards and castles you will discover and enjoy their
vintages (in moderation, of course). This newsletter only briefly describes Burgundy and we will
surely return to it in the future.
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