Le Hameau en Beaujolais Custom Branded Silver-Plated Wine Tastevin (Taste-Vin)
Hollowware - Wine Coaster / Wine Accessory (Tastevin) · Unknown French or European silver workshop/manufacturer, custom-commissioned for 'Le Hameau en Beaujolais' (a famous wine-themed tourist destination and wine center in the Beaujolais region of France).
Pattern: Custom Promotional Souvenir / Winery Tasting Accessory, mid-to-late 20th century.
Type
Hollowware - Wine Coaster / Wine Accessory (Tastevin)
Maker
Unknown French or European silver workshop/manufacturer, custom-commissioned for 'Le Hameau en Beaujolais' (a famous wine-themed tourist destination and wine center in the Beaujolais region of France).
Material
Silver-plated base metal (likely nickel silver or EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), standard for modern and souvenir tastevins used in wine cellars.
Dimensions
Standard tastevin size: approximately 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) in diameter across the bowl, with a thumb rest extending roughly 3 cm. Estimated weight: 60 to 90 grams.
Description
This is a charming and specialized silver-plated wine tastevin featuring custom branding for 'Le Hameau en Beaujolais.' The interior of the shallow bowl is intricately embossed with a classic pattern of alternating round bosses (dimples) and ribbed flutes radiating from a central convex dome, engineered specifically to catch and reflect light when evaluating red wine. The flat thumbpiece proudly displays the provenance, making it both a functional tasting tool and a delightful collectible souvenir from France's renowned wine country.
Key Features
Custom inscribed thumb rest reading 'LE HAMEAU EN BEAUJOLAIS', traditional optical light-reflecting dimpled bowl design, bright mirror silver-plated finish, and highly portable tasting form factor.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated base metal (likely nickel silver or EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), standard for modern and souvenir tastevins used in wine cellars.
Finish & Decoration
High-mirror polish with traditional repoussé-style dimples (bosses and hollows) designed to reflect candlelight and evaluate the color and clarity of red wine. Features the text 'LE HAMEAU EN BEAUJOLAIS' stamped in an arch around a stylized logo on the thumb rest.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The thumb rest is stamped clearly with the text 'LE HAMEAU EN BEAUJOLAIS' along with a central graphic logo. Traditional precious metal purity hallmarks are absent, typical of tourist or promotional plated silver items.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and pressed metal bowl with a welded or integrally formed thumb-rest handle. The dimples and central dome are press-formed using a die, typical of mid-to-late 20th-century souvenir manufacturing.
Functional Features
Traditional wine taster's cup (tastevin). The central convex dome (the 'pearl') and the surrounding concave spheres and fluted ribs refract light through thin layers of wine to assess color, limpidity, and maturity.
Handle & Grip Details
Features an integrated flat thumb-rest (or finger ring alternative) extending from the rim, stamped with branding. Designed to be held firmly between the thumb and index finger during wine tasting rituals.
Craftsmanship Details
Clean commercial pressing and clear stamping. While not hand-wrought by a master silversmith, the press-work is crisp, symmetrical, and well-executed for a mid-tier hospitality and souvenir item.
Authentication Indicators
Displays clear commercial stamping rather than traditional French silver hallmarks (such as the Minerva head), correctly identifying it as a silver-plated promotional or souvenir piece rather than high-end antique solid silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
France (commissioned for use or sale in the Beaujolais wine region), though the physical blank may have been manufactured by a specialized French or European hotelware supplier.
Era & Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970s-1990s), coinciding with the development and popularity of wine tourism and theme centers like Le Hameau du Vin in the Beaujolais region.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970 to 1990, based on the typography, the bright silver-plated finish, and the context of wine tourism development in France.
Cultural Significance
Tastevins are deeply rooted in French winemaking heritage, traditionally worn around the neck by sommeliers and winemakers. Souvenir tastevins like this bridge the gap between professional wine tools and the rise of post-war wine tourism in France.
Condition Notes
Excellent overall condition with a bright, reflective finish and minimal surface wear. No heavy tarnish, base metal bleed, or structural dents observed. Grade: Excellent.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $15 to $45 USD, depending on collector demand for wine-related ephemera and Beaujolais memorabilia.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a soft cloth and mild liquid soap in warm water. Avoid harsh abrasive dips or vigorous scrubbing to preserve the thin silver plating on the base metal. Store in a dry place.
Similar Pieces
Standard French silver-plated tastevins from Dijon or Beaune, generic tourist tastevins from various Bordeaux and Burgundy châteaux, and traditional guild sommelier tastevins.
Interesting Facts
'Le Hameau du Vin' (often referred to as Le Hameau en Beaujolais) is a well-known wine theme park and museum created by Georges Duboeuf in Romanèche-Thorins, France, celebrating the rich winemaking history and culture of the Beaujolais region.