Definition: Cotterd

Somewhat mysterious, even seemingly obsolete at first glance, the term "cotterd" evokes a quaint charm and a taste of terroir, while appealing to memory and knowledge. For the Confrérie du Guillon and its primary mission of promoting and defending Vaud wines, cotterds are in fact one of the essential aspects of its activities. Extensive preparatory work suggests that two new cotterds are likely to be added, in Ticino and Aargau, forming an important network for the wine industry in our region.

What is a cotterd?

The current and ever-sprightly Chancellor of the Confrérie, Michel Logoz, once explained the term very nicely, and his pen did not falter: " At the fountain where the laundry is soaked, at the communal oven where the bread is baked, at the trough where the pots clink, the good people of our French-speaking villages gather, chat, joke, exchange recipes and gossip... this is the cotterd, where laughter bursts forth, where songs are born, where reputations are made and unmade, where the heart of the community beats." Whether in the cellar, at the wine press or over a pint, we remake the world at the cotterd, we debate and we find that "elbow to elbow" spirit so dear to Jean-Pascal Delamuraz. Ultimately, that's what the cotterd is all about, and our friends from across the Sarine, and perhaps soon from across the Gotthard, are not mistaken: with a glass of Vaud wine in hand, through their reunions in various parts of our Confederation, and by coming to Vaud after the cotterd, they share in the values of the region and support the work of the Confrérie du Guillon.

The creation of the cotterds and prefects

On 26 February 1957, the Confrérie (founded in 1954, it should be noted) decided to create cotterds, by town or region, with an important figure at the head of each one: the prefect, who has held the rank of Councillor since 1974. Wearing a brown robe and purple cape, this leader-organiser, an essential cog in the cotterd, is chosen by the Confrérie's Councils from among the Compagnons du Guillon in the region. His strong personality must be recognised both within the Confrérie and among the Compagnons, of whom he is the voice and, therefore, the representative.

This eminent ambassador for Vaud wines has the task of leading and organising, for his region, in agreement with the Brotherhood, which delegates a number of Councillors to him, and with the assistance of the Office des Vins Vaudoise (OVV), various events (as they are now called in Vaud) designed to promote Vaud wines and maintain links with the spirit of Guillon. For a good twenty years now, the most significant and important event has been the "Guillonneur", a gastronomic and festive evening whose highlight is a kind of simplified Jean-Louis, as wines presented by their producers are tasted and then have to be recognised in sleeved bottles.Thus, from Lucerne (the first) to Jura (the last to be established), via Fribourg, Bern, Basel, Zurich and St Gallen, a Switzerland of Vaud wines expresses itself and lives on.

The crucial role of the Legate

From the outset, the Brotherhood entrusted the management of the cotterds and prefects to one of its Councillors, who was particularly gifted in networking and leadership. This "agens in rebus", as the ancients would say, has the delicate task of directing the prefects, sometimes with an iron fist in a velvet glove, sometimes the opposite, depending on the situation. As a roving ambassador, the Legate certainly has one of the most difficult roles in the councils, as it is not only a question of revitalising the network, but also of constantly developing relations with existing coteries and even establishing new ones. In short, it has to work! Our various Legates have been, in order, Fernand Rouiller, Alain Bosset, René C. Bernhard, Martin Mathys, Jean-Marc Sauvant and, currently, André Linherr, a true travelling conductor, efficient organiser and lover of wine and his country.

The threads of a rare fabric

The more years pass within this true family that is the Brotherhood, the more it becomes clear that, among its noble missions, the maintenance and development of a rare fabric such as the cotterds, with their finely but firmly woven threads, is one of the jewels in the Guillon's crown. Opening up to Switzerland and forging genuine federal links with other cultures, languages and customs, the cotterds are the scouts and explorers of the Praetorian Guard of Vaud wines.

Fabien LOI ZEDDA, Advisor to the Confrérie du Guillon and President of the Musée vaudois de la Vigne, du Vin et de l'Étiquette (MVVVE).