...or in French, 'Sacré soirée'
GEOFFREY FINCH
OCT 29, 2024
I’m posting a day early as there’s still time to sign up for our Hallowe'en Wine Witching Walk & Tasting! Stroll, swirl, and shiver (in fright) on our harrowing Hallowe'en wine witching night! Join us (in costume!) for this macabre experience as we meander through one of Paris' oldest quarters, exploring its ghoulish history. A blind tasting of a sparkling wine is shared midway through the tour to settle the nerves, and an exclusive wine tasting (with mouldy cheeses, black bread, and seasonal treats) features orange wines and harrowing surprises.
Allhallowtide. Holy night. All soul’s day. All saint’s day. The day of the dead. Dia de los Muertos. Toussaint. Cemetery Sunday. All are directly or indirectly related to Hallowe’en, which derived from the Celtic pagan festival of Samhain, when the season of life meets the season of death. Bonfires were lit and costumes worn to confuse and repel the dead, who it was believed emerged from their tombs to roam the earth.
Cemetery scene
Under Pope Gregory in the 8th century, this pagan festivity was replaced with All Hallow’s Eve, which was accepted throughout Europe, but people saw no reason to give up their pagan festivities. All Hallows Eve became Hallowe’en, which over time became associated with Jack O’Lanterns, Trick or Treat, dressing up in scary costumes, and fireworks. Pagan rituals on the one hand, and a religious holiday on the other. A lot of people in France (and not limited to France) don’t seem to like Hallowe’en and have discarded it as another one of those crassly commercial events originating in anglophone countries. ‘All Souls Day’ (le Toussaint) on the other hand, is a religious holiday and so observed, well, religiously.
Jack O’Lanterns
But what could be more fun than putting on a costume, taking the opportunity of exercising your creative talents by designing it yourself, applying garish make-up, being whatever you want without judgement, actively trying to scare people or be scared, and at the same time enjoying seasonal treats, sweets, and Hallowe’en themed parties that release the inner child in all of us. It’s also a celebration that takes place in the night, “when imagining some fear, how easy is a bush supposed a bear…”
And wine?
Wine bottle covered with mould
Romans believed that wine brought them closer to the divine—mainly because after a few goblets, they were convinced they could talk to the gods. As the Romans spread their love for wine, they also spread the tradition of honouring the dead. Somehow, along the way, people started using wine to toast the dearly departed.
Then came All Souls' Day, the day after Hallowe’en when people honoured all the souls of the faithful departed. Wine came back into play—because what better way to remember your loved ones than with a glass of their favorite vintage?
The spiritual connection between wine and the afterlife grew stronger. In some cultures, people leave wine and food out for the spirits of the deceased, believing that the spirits would enjoy a festive meal alongside their loved ones. As centuries rolled on, this mystical pairing of wine and the supernatural continued. In medieval Europe, monks vinified wine in monasteries and believed that each sip brought them closer to heaven. (Doesn’t it?)
In modern times, wine has found its way into Hallowe’en celebrations. Gatherings of ghouls and goblins, sipping on blood-red wine (or “vampire's juice,” as it might sometimes be called). Wine not only delights the living but also keeps the memories of the dead alive.
Drinking wine in the afterlife
Wine continues its role as a companion to everything spiritual, heightening our connection with the mystical and evoking deep reflection. The blending of wine with All Souls' Day evinces a deeper understanding of life, death, and the afterlife. It allows for a moment of connection, celebration, and remembrance, transforming grief into shared joy and honouring the legacy of those who have passed. Through wine, families keep the memory of their loved ones alive, celebrating both their lives and the bonds that transcend even death. Santé!
You can discover first hand the history of Paris and its wines with any of our scheduled wine walks. And if you’re in to the macabre and the spooky, and a chillingly good time, we’re hosting a special wine walk for Hallowe’en... Santé!
Thank you for letting me into your world and for reading the Paris Wine Walks Substack. Your support is invaluable as are your comments, suggestions, critiques, dreams, thoughts and remembrances. A little encouragement goes a long way, so please consider a paid subscription, which need cost no more than (a cheap) glass of wine per week. Or, book a wine walk!
My book, ‘The Hidden Vineyards of Paris’ (reviewed in Jancis Robinson’s wine blog, the Wine Economist, National Geographic Traveler UK, UK Telegraph) is available for purchase via our websiteand at anglophone bookshops and wine shops in Paris. You can also find it at the Musée de Montmartre and the Librairie Gourmande.
Wine Walks!
For more information, click on the underlined links:
Stroll, swirl, and shiver (in fright) on our harrowing Hallowe'en wine witching night! One time only spooky Marais wine walk - 31 October
Share a sparkling, convivial moment with colleagues, friends or clients to celebrate the moment or to simply gather for fun.
Paris' most famous wine producing vineyard
An insider's journey to the oldest wine neighbourhood in the city
A winebar crawl that features some of the best winebars in the city
The Marais seen through a wineglass
Discover the vinous spirit of medieval Paris
A comprehensive overview of medieval Paris
Short on time? This one’s for you.
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