Not of This World: Aliens & Wine
Every day we keep getting more news from the US Government about UFO footage and sightings, the two richest men on the planet are racing to space (or heading home), and we’re continually left with more questions than answers to the question of whether or not we’re alone in the vastness of space. While I am not certain that question will be truthfully answered in my lifetime, I can say that there is an amusing history of aliens in wine.
Marius Dewilde showing authorities where the cigar volant landed.
On September 14th, 1954 French metalworker (or railworker depending on the account) Marius Dewilde of Quarouble in northern France had a close encounter of the third kind! He found himself face-to-face with two humanoid Martians adorned in diver-like helmets at his home in the middle of the night. Upon confrontation with Dewilde, the pair of extraterrestrials retreated to their intergalactic travel vessel located on some rail tracks, blasted Dewilde with a beam of green light that momentarily paralyzed him, and they took off for the heavens.
Local authorities noted that there was in fact some markings on the tracks that could denote a ship landing on said tracks. Dewilde claimed to have been alerted to the presence of these uninvited guests by his two dogs. And I think I can speak for all of us in saying that I’m glad the dogs came out unharmed!
The ship as described by Dewilde was cigar shaped and not saucer-like. The fear of encountering a cigare volant, or flying cigar, overtook rational thinking and many French citizens were terrified — these cigars could destroy their grapvines! Thankfully for those living in the Southern French Rhône Valley village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape their intrepid Mayor Lucien Jeune decreed a new law in their village prohibiting the flying over or landing of any UFO under penalty of impound.
The original decree from 1954
The decree reads,
Article 1. — The overflight, the landing and the takeoff of aircraft known as flying saucers or flying cigars, whatever their nationality is, are prohibited on the territory of the community.
Article 2. — Any aircraft, known as flying saucer or flying cigar, which should land on the territory of the community will be immediately held in custody.
Article 3. — The forest officer and the city policeman are in charge, each one in what relates to him, of the execution of this decree.
Credit to to VinePair for the translation.
This law vehemently protects the sacred vines of the legendary wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape from destruction by way of alien vessel. While it’s fun to pretend that Mayor Jeune truly feared for the lives and agricultural livelihood of his town, his son Elie Jeune blew the lid on his father’s intentions — free publicity for the region. Jeune brilliantly capitalized on the extraterrestrial craze of the 50s and the story gained so much traction worldwide that we still talk about it today.
Even as recently as 2016 the then Mayor of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Claude Avril refused to overturn the law on the grounds that despite it being a stunt, it’s victimless fun and continues to create conversation and interest in the area.
Learn way more an Wine Folly, where I stole this infographic.
Not that Châteauneuf-du-Pape even needs the boost these days, especially in the wine crowd. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or the new house of the Pope, is one of the premier growing regions of southern France producing astounding world-class wines. It was even the first French wine appellation, becoming so in 1936.
The name itself comes from the fact that the Roman Catholic Church from 1309 to 1377 had its seat in Avignon, which remained under Papal control until 1791 when it was annexed by France.
Wines from this region tend to be Grenache heavy red blends that are often accompanied by Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault. They also tend to have great structure and an abundance of rich fruit notes balanced by savory herbaceous and leather notes.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the benchmark wine for the Rhône Valley and inspires winemakers around the world to strive for this level of quality in this particular style.
And of course, how could someone inspired by the wine and region not be inspired by the alien invasion and ridiculous law as well?
The Rhône Ranger himself, Randall Grahm, of Bonny Doon Vineyards took all of this to heart whilst making a Rhône styled blend at his winery in California. Grahm earned his nickname for pioneering the growth use of Rhône varietals in California and carved a new and wonderful path for others to do the same.
Grahm’s flagship wine at Bonny Doon is the aptly named Le Cigare Volant. The front label is adorned with a flying saucer beaming light down upon a French winemaking Chateau and the enclosure has the face of an Alien staring back at you.
The 2019 vintage of Le Cigare Volant is comprised of 56% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 13% Syrah, and 1% Petite Sirah sourced from select vineyards in Central Coast, California (48% Alta Loma Vineyard, 35% Loma Del Rio Vineyard, 6% Mesa Verde Vineyard, 6% Zayante Vineyard, 4% Rancho Solo Vineyard, 1% Lieff Vineyard).
Grahm’s’s notes on the wine are as follows:
In cool years the Grenache is enormously pretty and fragrant. This wine was the first year of production for Cinsault and it was thinned multiple times both for enhanced concentration and evenness of ripening. The cooler climate gives the Cinsault a wonderful articulation of flavor, but what is most noteworthy is the fact that Bonny Doon was able to conferment the Cinsault with Syrah. Something magical happens when Syrah and Cinsault marry; the healthy tannin titer from the Syrah seems to give more structure to the Cinsault, helps to stabilize the color. The spicy, licorice component from the Syrah is a perfect foil to the Griotte cherry derived from the Cinsault.
Personally I get a lot of red fruit, spice, and an underlying savory note that demands to be paired with anything you could possibly cook on the grill. An absolute must-have summertime dinner red that will please just about everyone at your table.
