Setting the Price of Wine in Geneva, 1556

Wine was of course culturally important throughout Christian Europe, though as a foodstuff it was primarily a southern food, being an expensive imported product in the north. Geneva, as with language and law, lay near the traditional dividing line between the north and the south. But with the Rhône river running to the south, wine was the drink of choice, with little beer and ale sold in Geneva. Indeed, I can’t think of a single case where I’ve ever seen either one mentioned. Wine, however, being almost as important as bread, it was like bread regulated.

The price of wine was set every November, once the harvest was in and it was clear what availability would be. Interestingly, this took place on the day when the personnel of the justice system were appointed. As was typical, the Small Council drafted the proposal to vote on with two choices, and then the Great Council (which included the Small Council) voted the two choices. The General Council convened on a Sunday and would then vote up or down on the proposal presented to it.

Here’s an excerpt of the Council vote, chosen relatively randomly from the year 1556.

[Small Council Vote] [Two pieces of paper were circulated and the councillors wrote their choice for the justice offices on paper and handed it to the syndic]. Et les deux voix de la vente du vin sont à quinze et seize solz [R.C. 52, f. 92 (9 novembre 1556)]. [Great Council Vote] Vente du Vin La vente du vin aussi qui en Petit Conseil avoit esté mise à 16 ou quinze. Est icy mise à quinze solz et quatorze solz [R.C. 52, f. 94v (13 novembre 1556)]. [General Council Vote] La Vente du Vin Semblablement et selon la coustume est mis en avant la voix du Petit et Grand Conseil sus la vente du vin, assavoir quinze et quatorze solz. Et apres qu’on a heu baillé, la voix la plus haute a porté à quatorze solz. [R.C. 52, f. 97 (dimanche, 15 novembre 1556)].

[Small Council Vote] [Two pieces of paper were circulated and the councillors wrote their choice for the justice offices on paper and handed it to the syndic]. And the two votes for the sale of wine are fifteen and sixteen sous. [Great Council Vote] Sale of Wine The sale of wine was also set at 16 or fifteen in the Small Council. Here it is set at fifteen or fourteen sous [R.C. 52, f. 94v (13 novembre 1556)]. [General Council Vote] The Sale of Wine Similarly and according to custom, the vote of the Small and Great Council on the price of wine is put forward, that is fifteen or fourteen sous. And after having presented [the proposal to the General Council], the vote was for fourteen sous.

I believe that the price was per “setier”. Bailler can have many meanings, but generally means to send, give, present. Should we be surprised that the vote was for the lower price? It would be interesting to look through several of these votes and see if the higher price was ever chosen.