History of La Paulée
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La Paulée is a Burgundian celebration held at the end of the grape harvest. This was once a widespread practice throughout France but nowadays it most often refers to the festivities held in Meursault. La Paulée de Meursault is part of Les Trois Glorieuses that take place around Beaune on the third weekend of November. The first day centers on a Saturday banquet hosted by the Confrèrie des Chevaliers du Tastevin at the Château de Clos de Vougeot. On the second day, the renowned auction of Hospices de Beaune wines is held in the beautiful fifteenth century Hôtel-Dieu. The grand finale of this oenophilic trilogy is La Paulée, an extravagant luncheon that starts at noon on Monday at the Château de Meursault, and continues well into the evening.

The modern day La Paulée was initiated by Jules Lafon, one of Burgundy's most respected wine growers (and quite a flamboyant character). In 1923, he decided to revive the traditional grape harvest celebration to which, in the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks invited their vineyard laborers. Comte Lafon held his first Paulée at his Meursault domain. Neighboring viticulturists decided that Lafon had an excellent idea, and over the next few years La Paulée de Meursault expanded rapidly. By 1932, it was officially established as a fixed annual event.

Over the years, La Paulée has changed from a communal banquet for growers and their workers. Though such vineyard celebrations with harvest participants have continued, the official La Paulée has become a grand gala attended by Meursault growers and producers along with other wine connoisseurs. It is a privilege to attend and reservations are mostly made a year in advance.

A special feature of La Paulée de Meursault is that everyone brings wine. This no doubt makes it the world's classiest BYOB party. A friendly but intense competition reigns as bottles are uncorked, shared and imbibed. Anyone who appreciates fine eating and drinking should try to attend this event which captures the essence of Burgundy's joie de vivre.
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