The Montmartre vineyard ( fr. La vigne de Montmartre , the official name is Clos-Montmartre ) is located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris at the corner of the streets of de Sol and Saint-Vincent.
Content
Description
The Montmartre vineyard covers a plot of 1566 m², on which 1762 vines grow, which annually allows you to get 400-500 liters of Montmartre wine (900-1000 bottles). In total, 27 grape varieties are cultivated here, of which 75% is gamay , 20% pinot noir , there are also several vines of Riesling , white Sauvignon , hevurtstraminer and others [1] .
An experienced professional oenologist Francis Gourdin [2] , hired by the mayor's office of the 18th arrondissement of Paris , is working to improve the quality of wine [3] .
Beginning in 1934, on the first Saturday of October, the New Wine Festival is traditionally held here (called in French Vendanges or Fête des vendanges de Montmartre). Each year, according to tradition, the godfather and godmother of the holiday are elected, the Montmartre wine of the Clo Montmartre brand is sold, the proceeds of which go to social projects of the City Hall of the 18th arrondissement of Paris [3] .
History
Montmartre vineyards were first mentioned in historical chronicles of the Carolingian era in 944 A.D. e. For the Middle Ages, even from the time of Roman rule, viticulture was one of the main occupations of the inhabitants of Montmartre , a significant part of which, as a whole, the suburbs of Paris were covered with vineyards. In particular, the abbesses of the Benedictine monastery in the XII century were engaged in wine production. According to legend, the first vine of Montmartre vineyards was planted by the first abbess and founder of this monastery, the former queen of France, Adelaide of Savoy . This wine was delivered to the royal court. At that time, in Montmartre, which was not yet part of Paris, there were many taverns, cabarets, and taverns, which were very popular because of the greater affordability of alcohol, since wine was subject to import duties in Paris. They talked about Montmartre wine that it "makes you jump like a goat." In addition, it was famous for its diuretic effect [4] : it was not without reason that the saying appeared: “Wine from Montmartre - it is like this: drink a pint , write a quart .” As a result of several devastating wars, the monastery became impoverished and was forced to sell part of the land to local winemakers, on the condition that they continue to grow grapes on these lands, and this was a wise commercial move, because the only grape press on the Hill belonged to the same Montmartre Ladies. Thanks to the hard work of the new owners, the Montmartre vineyard began to produce wines: Sacalie, the famous “Drop of Gold” (Goutte d'Or), “Berto's Vineyard” (Clos Berthaud), “Savage” (Sauvageonne), Vigne de Bel-Air ...
In 1859, Montmartre became part of Paris, there are fewer vineyards here, the wine-making tradition is in decline, plots on the southwestern and southern slopes are built up with houses. Fortunately, in 1929, the illustrator and philanthropist Francisco Pulbo , learning about the planned extensive residential development on the site of the ancient garden of Aristide Bruen on Sol Street, decided to save this historic place with his friends.
The revival began only in the 1930s. In 1933, the inhabitants of Montmartre restored the vineyard on the only free site on the north side. The grape managed to survive in this place, which was completely unsuitable for him, but the wine from it, even when diluted with other varieties, was very mediocre. Until 1995, Montmartre wine remained an exclusively souvenir product of not the best quality, which has since been noticeably improved, and now, as the French say, Montmartre wine is "completely drinkable."