Come On Aline: Château Coutet 1943-2017
BY NEAL MARTIN |
“Come On Eileen” is the 1982 transatlantic,
rabble-rousing chart-topper that, in my halcyon days behind the Technics 1210s,
I played on countless occasions, usually sandwiched between “Blue Monday” and “The
Lovecats”. Empty dance floor? No problem. Just deploy this Dexy’s Midnight
Runners classic. By the time the piano glissando pre-empts that Celtic-tinged euphoric
fiddle refrain, the dance floor would be thronging. And once you reached its
bridge where the tempo grinds to a halt and rebuilds, one-and-all chanting “Come
On Eileen” to whoever was dancing next to them with a nonsensical “Too-Rye-Ay”
for good measure…well…the crowd was putty in your hands.
Who exactly was Eileen?
According to its composer, singer and maverick genius Kevin Rowland, his inspiration was never a single person, though, in the accompanying video, the sister of Bananarama singer Siobhan Fahey played Eileen. There’s a factoid for you.
Of course, “Come On Eileen” has nothing to do with Château Coutet. Rewatching the video, unless edited out, I cannot see any wanton consumption of Sauternes. I suppose fine wine didn’t exactly chime their vagabond attire, those shabby dungarees that Dexy’s sported at the time. But I am certain that if Dexy’s had done a French version, it would be named Allez Aline after the estate’s “young and clever” co-owner. Thinking about it, Allez Aline sounds even better than its English translation. Perhaps the other connection is that both wine and song elicit so much joy, one tasted, and one heard.
Toora loora toora loo rye ay!
Let’s continue with the article and delve back into Coutet’s history.
I have always admired the crenelated walls at Coutet. On sunny days, the brickwork is so bright that you need a strong pair of sunglasses to avoid the glare.
History
In the 14th century, Coutet was built as an English fortress known as a Salasse (or Salace). Its square tower continues to watch the daily comings and goings in the courtyard, though one assumes its incumbent occupiers no longer fear any attack.
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Château Coutet has been revered as one of Sauternes/Barsac’s most prestigious sweet wines for decades. This article delves into its long history, but as we discover, under the indefatigable Aline Baly, Coutet is an estate that constantly looks to the future.
