The Legend of the Flying Ox

The Volo Biòu, a symbolic beast...

Sometime around the 11th or 12th century, in St Ambroix in the Gard, the grape-harvest exceeded demand and the wine went mouldy before it could be drunk.Understandably, the residents were plunged into despair.

However, the mayor hit on a novel and entertaining way of inducing people to drink the stuff. He publicly announced that at a pre-arranged time an ox would be thrown into the air, and that it would fly. The poor old ox was led through the streets in procession before being taken to a hilltop and hurled over the edge. The creature plummeted earthwards, and its remains scattered over the surrounding countryside. Whether to drown their sorrows or to cool down, the people drained the mouldy wine to the dregs.

Every July, St Ambroix revives the legend - but now the wine on offer is of much better quality.

Association la Légende du Volo Biòu (French)