At a convivial reception at the French residence in Zebbug the star of the evening was HE the Ambassador of France to Malta, Beatrice le Fraper du Hellen who was being inducted to that exclusive club, the Jurade of St Emilion. The other star was the excellent St Emilion wines served on a splendid May evening with candles glowing and orange and lemon trees in blossom. St Emilion, it is acknowledged, is the world's most renowned wine region. The delicious wines which were served throughout the evening included two Grand Cru and two Grand Cru Classé.
A French couple, members of the Jurade
Ms Rosanne Micallef and Ms Christine Debono
I spoke to Michael Tabone who needs no introduction from me. He is immediately associated with the Jurade of St Emilion and has been regularly writing in the press about wine. He is a true connoisseur. He is the Maltese chancellor for La Jurade and member of the Grand Conseil de la Jurade which consists of 16 members. "Once you are inducted," Michael told me, "you are part of the whole organization. We have around 3000 inducted members from all over the world. Around 100 are Maltese." I have discovered he has his very own blog full of information, advice and comments. He told me: 'It is part of our protocol that we induct France's representatives in the country that we are visiting. Prior to Madame le Fraper du Hellen we had inducted Ambassador M. Destrameau in 2001 and another member of the French diplomatic corps M. Alexis Tudor in 2011.' He also explained that the following day there was to be another investiture of the following group: Mr Roderick Chalmers, Mr Joe Grioli, Ms Ariadne Massa, Ms Davinia Galea, Mr Joseph Tabone, Mr Nick Grech, Mr Nick Calamatta, Dr Pierre Chircop, Mr Pierre Stafrace and Mr Paul Sultana.
Mr Joseph Debono and Ms Lorraine Miceli Demajo
The sight of a group of men and women wearing the medieval scarlet robes of the Jurat was something to behold. The Jurade is, in fact, an official association of wine lovers, investors and producers. The ultimate aim is to promote the Merlot-based wines of the picturesque village of St Emilion. Twice a year, at harvest time and in the spring, its members hold a formal ceremony complete with flowing robes, banners and a procession through the town - to induct new members.
M. Laurent Croset, Conseiller Culturel and the Ambassadors of Turkey and France
In fact the Jurade owes its existence to King John Lackland of England who created the Jurade in 1199 to administer the town of Saint Emilion - a sort of local government - and to ensure the supply of good wine to the English Court, a privilege that was kept until the French revolution of 1789. Michael told me that in 1948, the wine growers of the area, united under the authority of the council of wine growers, recreated the Jurade to represent the wines of Saint Emilion all over the world and to guarantee the authenticity and quality of the region's wines. It was, and still is today, responsible for the judgment of the new wine in Spring and proclamation of the harvest bans in September. "The Jurade is the only wine fraternity in Bordeaux with a real link to history and quite possibly the oldest in the world. It is made up of around 100 Jurats and is administered by the Grand Council which includes the Premier Jurat, a clerk, an accountant, a cellar master and a master of ceremonies. Over the years a number of Chancelleries were established. These include the United Kingdom, Malta, Belgium, China and the USA."
Every year, the Jurade honours many personalities from the world of wine, gastronomy, arts, politics etc. with various titles. These are Pair de la Jurade. Prud' homme de la Jurade. Dame de la Jurade and Vigneron d Honneur. Today, there are around 3000 active members spread all over the world. Each acting as an ambassador for the wines and town of Saint Emilion.
That evening there were short speeches. If I remember correctly Her Excellency said that her family also made a small amount of wine. I was to discover that she only drinks white wine, never red. She manages to create a warm ambience wherever she may be. She draws people to her because she is a natural communicator and has a certain informal formality which is just the right balance.
The French and Maltese guests mingled happily as we ate some delicious canapés and drank from the six different St Emilion wines served that evening.
The next Jurade visit is planned for 2018 to celebrate Valletta as European capital of culture.