On April 1st 2016, the Echansonnerie des Papes held its exceptional Grand Council in the prestigious set up of the Palais des Papes in Avignon. Its Grand Chancellor, Frédéric COULON, presided over the induction ceremony as Grand Auditor. The ceremony was held in the Conclave room, while the gala dinner was served afterwards in the Grand Tinel room.
S.A.S. the Prince Albert II of Monaco kindly and successfully passed the induction test and thus became part of the great family of the some 3500 Echansons du Pape inducted to date in France and worldwide. With him, seven other personalities were inducted, including Mika HÄKKINEN, formula 1 world champion in 1998 and 1999 and Michael HORNICKEL, President of the international federation of journalists and writers on wine and spirits (F.I.J.E.V.).
The Echansonnerie des Papes was founded in 1968 and joined F.I.C.B. since its creation. Its object is to contribute to the appreciation and recognition of what constitutes the originality, the quality and the reputation of the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Paul COULON, himself a renowned producer of these wines together with his sons and one of the founders of the Echansonnerie, is still active in this wine brotherhood and is also a Vice-president of F.I.C.B., representing the South of France.
Website of the Echansonnerie des Papes : http://www.echansonnerie-despapes.com/
See French TV reporting : http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/provence-alpes/vaucluse/avignon/le-prince-albert-ii-de-monaco-intronise-dans-la-confrerie-des-echansons-966417.html