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The King of France, Louis XIV, awarded a very special place to Joigny's Vin Gris after a truly extraordinary encounter.
Under the Sun King's reign, the city of Joigny was an important wine producer. It was carried partly by water to Paris, the capital of France. Barges loaded with barrels containing the precious drink went in short stages to Bercy, accompanied by a local winegrower.
In 1704, the Jovinian appointed to carry out this mission was a man named Pavillon. A man of enormous size, he perfectly represented all those admirable farmers who for centuries had lovingly devoted themselves to cultivating the vines and producing their delicious product. |
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Reaching Paris, he decided to attend Sunday morning mass. As the Eucharist was raised, Pavillon kneeled like all the other faithful. But his immense size dominated the crowd.
The Sun King, present at the mass, immediately noted the large torso towering over everyone. Thinking that Pavillon had remained standing, he immediately dispatched one of his guards to demand that he comply with the obligations of the mass.
The guard returned to tell the sovereign that his subject was indeed kneeling. His oversized stature explained the apparently strange attitude of this perfectly pious and respectful believer. |
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When the mass was over, Louis XIV had Pavillon presented to him, and a dialogue began between the two men:
- What is your name?
- Pavillon, Sire.
- What do you do?
- I am a winegrower from Burgundy and I've come from Joigny to serve you, Sire.
- What are you doing here?
- Sire, I had brought a boatload of wine from my harvest to try to sell it to the Parisians. But it's difficult, it's really hard!
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Amused by this courageous winegrower's spontaneity and gift of gab, he kept the farmer talking. He agreed to taste his wine. Seduced by its floral fragrance, its delicate bouquet and crystalline colour, the Sovereign asked his Grand Cup bearer to order this Vin Gris.
After that day, Joigny's "Vin des Roses" – Côte Saint Jacques flowed copiously at the tables of King Louis XIV's Court of Versailles.
In addition, to thank Pavillon for having introduced him to this astonishing wine, the Sun King granted him the right to sell his wine on the shore at Bercy, without paying any taxes.
Out of this encounter a tradition was born. Bottles of Joigny's Vin Gris were decorated with little enamelled medals sporting Fleurs de Lys, the great symbol of French royalty. |
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