Adornment Wines- A restrospective

Wine trends come and go like clientele from a whore’s boudoir:  hastily and often with remorse. And for that matter, much like a whore’s clientele, they are often desperate and best forgotten.

There is one trend however, that deserves a second look: the adornment, or decorative wine. More than mere titivation the adornment wine is the true mark of civilized accoutrement.

With its ultimate popularity in mid seventeenth century France, the adornment wine was born out the republican ideal that a nations populace is best served by an educated and wealthy upper class. In the words of poet Nicolas Boileu: “Faites-vous des amis prompts à vous censurer,” or:  make friends with those who would be quick to criticize you. But more than mere pandering the adornment wine sought to extend a hand to growling and sweaty masses, if only to share a drink for a fleeting while. 

In reality this rarely happened. The upper class would strut about the streets like Roman Generals, their hips swaying to accentuate the bottle often strapped to their belt in an overt display of monetized sexuality, and aristocratic decadence. It was as if they were saying “look at what I have and remember your place," a place most would describe as unrelenting hell.

The above illustration depicts an English meeting of the nine districts constabulary. At the head of the table is Alfred Bettingcock, a famous mid century law man. Notice the large burlap pouch around his waist and the huge bottle of wine in his hand. This is a typical of an everyday, man about town adornment.


The truly well off however had pouches made of finest leather, sewn with golden thread and bestowed with family crests. They are truly a sight to behold.


Alas, unless you take a trip to Fance's Musee du Vin, you never will. Unless of course, we make a concerted effort to bring them back!


AH HA!