let's delve into the world of the International Oenophile Competition that puts the art of wine spitting to the fore.
Not many know but in 1924, the International Concours de Crachat de Vin (ICCdV) was conceived amidst the Winery & Vineyards of Château de Macon. This month they celebrate their centenary event with a televised special.
The Art of Wine Spitting: A Guide to Olympian Precision
“Wine spitting,” or as “the French” elegantly term it, "crachat de vin," is an age-old “tradition” that has transcended mere practicality to become an art form worthy of “international acclaim,” for some it is a way of life.
As any seasoned wine taster will tell you, the ability to spit with precision and grace can separate the amateurs from the professionals in the wine world.
We are all amazed when someone can eject a stream of wine from their puckered lips, over our heads as we converse, like a burgundy rainbow, sploshing perfectly into the funnel of a standard spittoon.
A Brief History of Wine Spitting
Legend has it that wine spitting dates back to the Roman Empire, where aristocrats would gather to show their prowess at lavish Bacchus ceremonies. However, the modern era of wine spitting truly began in 17th-century France, where court jesters would entertain nobles by spitting wine into elaborately decorated spittoons from increasingly absurd distances.
We all know the story of Calumptius Bellshead, the great Court clown that could spit into 5 cups at the same time. What a legend.
The art of wine spitting reached its zenith in the early 20th century with the founding of the International Concours de Crachat de Vin, a competition that celebrates the world's best wine spitters. Today, this prestigious event draws competitors from across the globe, each vying for the coveted title of "Olympian of the Spittoon." We will get back to this a little later but first…
The Top 10 Things to Remember When Wine Spitting
These gems of advice are to be read in any order. Spittoons at the ready folks!
Choose Your Spittoon Wisely
Just as a painter selects the perfect canvas, a wine spitter must choose the ideal spittoon. Look for one with a wide mouth and a stable base to ensure accuracy and avoid unfortunate spills.
Remember the old saying, “Start with a bucket and end with a thimble.”
Perfect Your Stance
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and your dominant foot slightly forward. This athletic stance provides balance and stability, crucial for a successful spit. If you can’t stand, you can’t spit.
Swirl and Savor
Before spitting, take a moment to swirl the wine in your mouth. Appreciate its bouquet and flavor profile. Remember, you’re not just spitting; you’re showcasing the wine’s essence to the world. It is a journey from mouth to cup.
Take a Deep Breath and use the Cheek Muscles
Inhale deeply through your nose, hold the wine in your mouth, and prepare for the spit. This step is vital for ensuring maximum propulsion and minimal dribble. Use your cheek power, like Charlie Parker preparing a balloon party.
Aim with Precision like a Conker Master
Lock your eyes on the spittoon and visualize the trajectory; become the spittoon. A good spit is all about focus and intent; you are the wine flume. Channel your inner archer and aim with laser-like precision. Splam.
Release with Grace
Exhale forcefully and steadily, propelling the wine from your mouth in a clean, unbroken stream. Imagine you’re a Roman fountain, spitting forth a perfect arc of Bacchus’s nectar. The perfect flume can bring a tear to an eye.
Maintain Composure
Even if your spit goes awry, remain composed. A true wine professional handles mishaps with poise. Simply smile, nod, and pretend it was all part of the plan. Then, quietly walk away and blame the person next to you.
Evaluate and Adjust
After each spit, evaluate your performance. Did you hit the target? Was the stream consistent? Make mental notes and adjust technique accordingly for the next round. Be critical, be better, keep a journal. Try to create trick-spits.
Respect Your Fellow Tasters
Spitting is a communal activity; it is probably a part of our primal ancestry. Be mindful of your neighbors and avoid overzealous spitting that might encroach on their space. Remember, wine tasting is a shared experience.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Like any skill, wine spitting requires practice. Set up a spittoon at home and practice regularly. Join a local wine spitting club or participate in competitions to hone your craft. Buy this $29.99 bath kit from Ridicuconcepts.
A Final Word
While wine spitting may seem absurd to the uninitiated, it is an essential skill for any serious wine aficionado. If we swallowed all of the thousands of wines that we taste each week, we would have a mutated liver creature.
Embrace the art with a sense of humor and a dash of elegance, and you too can become an Olympian of the spittoon. As the great spitters of history would say, “May your aim be true, and your spittoon be sloppy and full.”
International Concours de Crachat de Vin
Legend has it that in 1924, the ICCdV was born of a bet between two French winemakers over who could expel wine with the most precision and panache.
What began as a silly contest between friends soon blossomed into a national spectacle, attracting oenophiles from every corner of the globe. Think, “Enter the Dragon,” or the bloodthirsty “BattleSomm,” but instead for wine spitting.
The rules? Simple yet stringent. Traditional yet innovative. Right yet wrong.
Accuracy, distance, and style are the holy trinity upon which the competitors' fate hangs. With a flick of the tongue and a graceful arc of the neck, they release a fine mist of wine into the air, aiming for targets that range from classic bullseyes to avant-garde sculptures and sometimes a political effigy.
As more and more folks heard of the amazing spit battle, the bigger the competition became. The winemakers began to use the Grand halls of Château de Macon and the competition became an invite only event.
One of the great champions and now the Head of the Society is Henri "Le Spitfire" Beauchamp. He is a legendary child-maestro of the spittoon, whose reign as the undisputed champion spanned the tumultuous decades of the 1960s & 1970s, where sometimes wine was so badly made that the spitters couldn’t keep it in their mouth long enough to compete!
Henri “Le Spitfire” retired from competitive wine spitting and took the event to Olympic levels, opening it to the Telly and later, to International markets.
In fact, he is currently preparing the 100th anniversary televised special, featuring celebrity judges and performances from Chicken Richard and the Rap group “Sunz of Gunz.”
Tune in to all major pay-per-view channels to watch!
Last year’s winner, Emmanuel Sambuzi - Crachat de Vin World Champion
