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French Taste-Vin
Pipettes
These are
examples of another form of taste-vin, known as taste-vin
pipettes.
It is essentially a tube used to
syphon wine through the bung hole of a barrel so that the wine can be
sampled and analyzed while it is still ageing in the barrel. They are also called sondes à vin
or wine probes... these vintage examples make great wall decorations in
addition to be utilitarian.
This version...
...features a metal handle. The handle has a wonderful
patina and the glass tube has the character that comes with years worth of
residue; the glass tube is in mint condition.
It measures 19.75 inches long
and .8125 of an inch wide without the handle, 2.675 inches wide at the handle.
The tip is .25 of an inch in diameter.
This version...
...is signed by the manufacturer...Sanbri, a Picardie-based specialist in wine-making accessories.
Designed for comfort, it measures 18.875 inches long, 3.5 inches wide at
the handle, the body has a diameter of 1 inch and the tip is .375 of an
inch in diameter. Excellent condition; very clean.
This version...
...is all glass with the handle formed within the tube...
It measures 17.375 inches long, 1.25 inches at the widest point, and has
an opening diameter of .25 of an inch. Mint condition, with a bit of
residue within the handle.
Tonnelet
A precurser to the thermos, this is a
tonnelet...
...used by the vendagers and vendangeuses...French for vineyard
harvestors...to carry liquid refreshment for their lunch break...a welcome pause during their long,
hard
day carefully cutting the grapes from the vines. This one is in oak, 9.75 inches high
including the handle, 7.675 inches high to the cork, 4.5 inches wide and
3.25 inches deep. It has two rows of letters burnt into one side; the
first row is illegible, the second row reads "ZICKLE".
They were generally
filled with either the local wine or piquette...which is made from the dried sediment
from the bottom of the grape press. The initial pressing of the grapes
leaves behind the skins, stems, and seeds and this substance is known as marc.
This forms the basis for fine brandies. But nothing is wasted and any
residue from the marc...bits of the mash that may have stuck onto the
press...are dried and that is called marc sec. When that is mixed
with water, the result is piquette. It is illegal to sell piquette so it's
not a well-known beverage and takes some getting used to. These small
barrels full of piquette were transported out into the vineyards either hung from the waist or around the
neck of the workers...they must have sort of looked like a pack of Saint Bernards!
This tonnelet is beautifully aged...
...and if it could talk, it would surely tell you tall tales of many a vendange.
It is constructed in sections in the same manner as a full-sized barrel
and held together with metal bands...this type of tonnelet is known as à douelles. (Wooden versions carved from a single block of
wood are known as monoxyle tonnelets). The term tonnelet changes
according to the region...in some areas of France, they are known as
barriquots, barrillots, bossets, or capucines.
Glass
Entonnoir...Wine Funnel
This wonderful, early blown-glass
wine funnel probably dates from the nineteenth century. It measures 6.75
inches long, and is 3.5 inches across including the handle...the funnel
itself is 2.25 inches in diameter.
Known as an entonnoir in France, it is a necessary item for any
serious wine connoisseur as it allows the wine to breathe before entering
the wine decanter...it can even be used to pour directly into a wine glass
in instances where the necessarily breathing time is not an option.
Mouth-blown and in mint condition...it is the perfect accessory for
aerating...to smooth out the aroma and texture of a young wine...and also
to aid in the separation of sediment found in aged wines.
A vintage wine tool that is appropriate for any vintage!
Enameled Metal French Wine Shop
Sign...Les Maîtres Vignoux
In researching this wonderful
sign, I was able to find out that Les Maîtres Vignoux was renowned
for offering wines of the countryside...both vins de pays and
vins d'appelation...that were assured to have an excellent
quality/price rapport. The brand was originally established by the SVF
group...Société des Vins de France...in 1980, but by 1985 it had
been absorbed into the Pernod-Ricard conglomerant.
The graphics are superb...one side has a huge
bunch of grapes tied to a long pole being held aloft by two traditionally-dressed vignerons. The
statement Vins Fin de Terroir is noted below the graphic...a
notation that is close to the heart of any serious vigneron...if you have
ever had the pleasure of speaking with an authentic wine grower, you'll
immediately grasp their passion for their particular spot of land or
terroir.
The other side repeats the name of the firm in a large red circle.
It measures by inches and has a inch wide side portion where it was
originally attached to the outside of the wine shop or bar that sold the
wines represented by Les Maitres Vignoux de France.
It measures 23.25
inches high and 15.75 inches wide...one side has a 1.875 inch flange for
attaching the sign to a building. There
are some scratches to the enamel surface and some rust here and
there...including one area in one of the lower corners.
Wine Merchants...Bercy District in
Paris, France...June 12, 1912
Perfect for creating an
old-time ambiance in your cave...a group photograph taken on June 12,
1912...as documented on the barrel in the center. The sign in the
background reads Ch. Vazeilles...perhaps that is the name of the firm.
It's a great study of faces...the executives, the matriarch, the
heir-apparent. The young man behind the central barrel is holding in one
hand a pointeau or poinçon, a typically French tool for
drawing a small amount of wine from a barrel so that it can be tested to
determine how well it is ageing. In his other hand is a silver
tastevin...the type that can be used to taste both red and white wines.
The photograph was taken in Bercy...the famous warehouse area in the 12th
arrondissement of Paris where prior to its demolition in the 1990s, wines
from all of France were stored, bottled, and distributed to thirsty
Parisiens.
The image is a direct
scan...no retouching. A silver print, it measures 6.6875 inches by 4.875
inches...printed on paper that is 7.125 inches by 5.125 inches. The image
is clear and sharp...there are two crinkles in the upper left corner, two
tears on right edge margin. Glued to original mat. A piece of French wine
history!
We are also including this image
in our link for Vintage Photography and Photographica.
Vintage
Photograph...Testing the Reisling
The caption on the
back of this vintage image describes it as having been taken during the
testing of the Riesling at the co-operative cave of
Bech-Kleinmacher-Wellenstein in Luxembourg. Bech-Kleinmacher, and
Wellenstein are wine-making towns located on the Moselle River very near
to the border between France and Luxembourg.
The image is a direct
scan...no retouching. A silver print, it measures 6.6875 inches by 4.8125
inches...printed on paper that is 7.0675 inches by 5.1875 inches. The
image is clear and sharp...there are some dust spots in darker areas of
image and one crinkle to lower right margin.
We are also including this image
in our link for Vintage Photography and Photographica.
La Bezette...French
Bar Game
 In the cafés and bars of
northern France, the patrons would pass the time playing a game of chance
called La Bezette.
Game rules. There are several
local variations, but this is how La Bezette is played in the Eure
region of Normandy...
You begin with three dice, a
ring holder, and an equal number of rings for each player. Typically,
there are 24-30 rings total. When the number of players calls for the
retirement of rings in order for the amount to be even, then those rings
are left with the bartender. To determine the playing order, each
partipant throws the dice...the one with the highest total plays first.
On a throw of the dice, if a player rolls a 4,
a 5and
a 6...that's La Bezette.
The player calls out La Bezette and s/he puts all of his or her
rings except for one on the ring holder. If the throw results in one or
more dice with a one showing, the player puts one ring on the holder for each one
that was thrown. If a six is rolled, the player gives to the player to his
or her right, one ring for each six that was tossed. There are no other
moves. The winner is the player who is the first to give away all of his
or her rings. Sometimes the game was played for money, other times, for
drinks...but always for fun!
Our version dates from the first
quarter of the twentieth century; it consists of 28 rings that have a
diameter of 2.125 inches , three dice that measure .675 inches across, and
a wooden holder for the rings that stands 11.75 inches high on a a base
that is 5.125 inches in diameter.
It's
lots of fun...one of those games where you can be on the verge of losing
and with just one throw of the dice, you end up winning! I've been known
to set a game of La Bezette out on the table in front of guests to
keep them occupied while we're in the kitchen attending to a risotto and
it's always a big hit!
Bacchus-themed
Cold-Painted Metal Sculpture
...I have no idea if this
sculpture has a purpose other than decorative. Crafted of metal that has
been cold-painted...the subject is an infant Bacchus drinking from a
barrel spigot.
It measures 3.25 inches high, 5.75 inches wide, and 3.5 inches deep and would be a charming accent to a wine and vine
inspired décor. It may have originally been part of a mantel garniture,
but for now it could be used as a candle holder, on a desk to
hold pens and pencils...let your imagination be your guide!
It is in excellent condition...
...original paint accenting the entire piece.
French Copper
Moët Champagne Cooler
756 grams of copper...that's 1 pound,
10.7 ounces...hand-wrought to create a most unusual champagne seau
or cooler. As many a vintage item, dating it presents a bit of a mystery
since the design is clearly reminiscent of the arts and crafts
movement...however the designation Champagne Moët...
...ceased in 1833, when the grandson of the founder of the prestigious
champagne house became the director...hence the firm known as Moët became
Moët & Chandon. (Moët is pronounced mouette).
It measures 8.25 inches high with a diameter of 9 inches at the
top...tapering down to 5.125 at the base.
The design is striking...
...hand-hammered and signed on the bottom...
It has been used and thus has some signs of wear, but as you can see, it's
a most unusual receptacle...be it for champagne as it was originally
intended...or perhaps a very elegant begonia plant!
Nevers Drinking Motto Pitcher...Emile Georges Faïencerie
...a French faïence pitcher that will delight both wine connoisseurs and
medical professionals with its design and sense of humor. The hand-painted
motto reads Replacez médecine et pharmaciens Par un bon verre du vin...which
translates to "Replace doctors and pharmacists With a good glass of wine".
It dates from circa 1930 and was
made in Nevers at the faïencerie run by Emile Georges...it has the factory
mark on the bottom...
The faïencerie was originally founded in Nevers in 1898; Emile Georges began working there when the business was
owned by Félicien Collard who had taken over the firm in 1908. It was
Collard who first used the double green knotted ribbons as the pottery
signature. Emile Georges took over the company in 1926. The factory
remains in business today, run by fourth generation Georges.
Blue and yellow-gold stripes and a cheerful floral pattern provide
decorative accent...the pitcher will hold a healthy measure of wine as it
stands 6.5 inches high,
and is 6 inches wide including the handle, and 4.5 inches wide measuring
just the body. It has a few small glaze-only dings along the top rim...understandable both
for a faïence piece of this vintage...and
when you consider that it was used to serve wine..meaning the person doing
the pouring might not have always been totally sober!
We are also including this item
in our link for Antique Paintings, Prints, and Pottery.
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