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THE ORIGINS OF THE WORD "PINARD" IN BURGUNDY ?

1557 Views Posted on: 2024-06-10
 

Where Does the Word "Pinard" Come From?

The Origins of the Term "Pinard"

The term "pinard" has sparked numerous theories and discussions about its etymological roots. The most likely theory traces back to World War I.

"Saint-Pinard"

According to popular belief, the word "pinard" was first used by soldiers enjoying a red wine called "Père Pinard" or "Saint Pinard" when they had the chance to escape the harsh realities of war. This wine was akin to a rather bland plonk, lacking in aromatic interest aside from its acidity.

Burgundy Connections

However, other sources suggest that the soldiers merely popularized a term that originated two centuries earlier in the Burgundy wine region. The term might refer to "pineau," a bulky grape variety resembling the shape of a pine cone, found in Champagne, Burgundy, and Lorraine vineyards. Another theory links the word "pinard" to Pinot Noir, Burgundy's flagship grape, or to Jean Pinard, a Burgundy winemaker from the 17th century.

Today, "pinard" is used so frequently that it’s challenging to pin down a single meaning. For some, it has a distinctly pejorative connotation, referring to a cheap drunk, while for others, it might denote a very high-quality wine.

The Académie Française dictionary, which officially included the term in 1935, simply defines "pinard" as a popular term for "wine."