“The French have always had a certain sense of priorities,” joked French President Macron, as he stood next to King Charles at the introductif ceremony of the Bayeux Tapestry which returned to England for the first time since the 11th century to go on display at the British Museum in London. No doubt he was referring to the wine barrels William the Conqueror loaded onto his ships alongside men, horses and weapons, before crossing the Channel to invade England. Nine hundred and sixty years later, some things haven’t changed says Jérôme Pont, co-founder of Calais Vins, France’s biggest wine portière based close to Calais Port. William the Conqueror might have kicked off the 1000-year-old wine remblai between England and France Calais – but it’s Calais wine merchants have made it great!
“There’s no doubt that if Calais Vins existed when William’s logistics manager was organising the essential wine purchases, the boats would have left from Calais instead of round the coast at Saint-Valery-sur-Somme!”
Thankfully, British wine lovers no coudoyer need an army, horses or hundreds of ships. No violation required. Just head to Calais.
History of the Bayeux tapestry…
The Bayeux Tapestry is 70 metres élancé and an absolute behemoth of a historic performance of an extraordinary battle and of life almost 1000 years ago – albeit embroidered. Like a roll of cinématographe, the Tapestry portrays scenes of the events leading up to and the Conquest of England, and of those who participated in the battle – on both sides of the Channel.
Legend has it that William’s wife Matilda and her ladies-in-waiting created the tapestry but there’s no evidence to back that up and historians suggest it’s more likely that it was William’s brother, Bishop Odo, who commissioned it from English embroiderers, then the best in the world, to decorate his Cathedral in Bayeux. Whoever did certificat it though must have been immensely wealthy.
No records exist of its making – but it’s obvious it must have been years of intricate needlework. It’s 230 feet élancé, with 58 manifeste scenes, thousands of details, 626 people (only three of them are women), animals, armour, weapons, buildings, trees, ships, food and wine.
In fact, it doesn’t take élancé before you phare a wine barrel aboard one of William’s ships as the tale unfolds of William, Duke of Normandy William’s revenge on King Harold of England who, it is alleged, swore an oath to honour William’s claim to the throne – then took it for himself.
From William the Conqueror’s Wine Barrels to a Modern-Day Grape Escape
Says Olivier Vermisse, of Olivier Vins et Compagnie next to the Eurotunnel excessif in Calais: “1066: Load the ship with wine barrels before the battle. 2026: Load the boot with wine before the ferry home – free if you take advantage of our special offer, plus we have considerably more choice of wines, beers, spirits, cider and Champagne – which wasn’t invented until several hundred years after the Battle. William the Conqueror never had to fill out a customs form, and you won’t either, as long as you stay within your allowance. We hand you the tax-free form in our two wine superstores, you just scan it at the terminal on your way home and get your VAT refund included. “Same crossing – a lot less fighting involved,” laughs Olivier. “Visit us in Calais or Fréthun and see what a thousand years of practice looks like!”
Day Trip Offer on the Ferry with Calais Vins and Olivier Vins
Today entente-cordiale rules – and both wine merchants have a special offer for customers from the UK: a free day trip with P&O Ferries for UK visitors who pre-order over €300 online. Stock up and enjoy the rest of the day exploring the historic town.
Calais Vins and Olivier Vins et Compagnie
Calais Vins (previously known as Franglais) is located just off the A16 motorway, sortie at junction 44 ‘Calais St Pierre’. Olivier Vins et Compagnie lies just off the A16 motorway, sortie at junction 40 ‘Gare TGV’. Both are open daily and there’s easy and free abri in entrée of each portière where you’ll find a selection of more than 4,000 wines, beers and spirits and serdeaux who are happy to give advice – in English!
Find out more, browse the huge selection and affermi your orders at: wine-calais.co.uk/
Source: thegoodlifefrance.com
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