Our selection for living on gourds and fresh water
Long associated with scouts and shepherds, the flask was neglected until ecology gave it a new meaning and marketing got hold of it. This inseparable companion of summer hikes and sports sessions has become ultra-trendy and has slipped into city bags. It is now as much a fashion statement as a sign of belonging.
You start a morning run with your water bottle on your belt, and suddenly a question pops into your head: how did Cro-Magnon man, an unrepentant hunter-gatherer, manage to carry his water? Well, clever as he was, he made do with a few animal viscera, plugged with a piece of carved bone. Conical objects found at the Brassempouy site in the Landes region bear witness to this. Later, in the depths of Egypt, people were already talking about pilgrims' gourds. Made of earthenware, with two handles and a round bottom, they were used on long journeys...
The Greek amphora is still the closest thing to the beginnings of our gourd, but walking with an amphora on your back isn't what you'd call very convenient... It was more at home, filled with oil or wine, in the holds of a ship. The Romans, who devised water-carrying pipes, soon found a better format: their flat iron and brass flask finally began to resemble a design object, i.e. a practical one.
Let's skip over the skin bottles of the Tuaregs, Basque shepherds and Boy Scouts and jump to the other side of the Atlantic. In the 1950s, plastics made a massive entry into the industrial era, and the advent of vacations and excursions ushered in the light, colorful gourd. But the real boom came around ten years ago. Manufacturers capitalized on the poor image of the plastic bottle to launch new products. In the United States, the " Stanley " flask, originally designed for workers, entrusted its image to Terence Reilly, the genius behind Crocs. The marketer uses TikTok to trigger hysteria in department stores whenever a " Stanley " capsule collection is launched.
In glass, stainless steel or even biodegradable materials like the sugarcane-based " Veganbottle ", the water bottle should see its market soar to over $10 billion by 2027. They are already an indispensable part of our daily lives, in Thermos versions to keep our mint-lime cool or our latte hot. Europe is also launching its own cult brands. Évian, for example, has teamed up with Virgil Abloh, Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton, to launch limited editions, some of which are selling for gold on eBay. Before rushing into capsule collections and giving in to the siren song of design, don't forget that the gourd is above all eco-responsible and a sustainable everyday object. Choosing a gourd is for life, in every sense of the word.
Long out of fashion, even closeted, the gourd has become a fashion accessory that can be matched to your outfit thanks to its panoply of colors. Take it everywhere, especially off the sports field, to hydrate in style while reducing your environmental footprint. Proof in 8!
1. Bottle. Metal model, isothermal with double-wall insulation, polypropylene handle. "Mono Thermal", 90 cl, 400 g, Hay on Made in Design, €49. 2. Mug. Isothermal mug, brushed steel, double-walled. "To Go Cup", 35 cl, 260 g, The Tools design, Eva Solo on Made in Design, €34.96. 3. Design. Stainless steel water bottle with calfskin strap. "Sky", 50 cl, 318 g, design Aurélien Barbry, Georg Jensen, €64.80. 4. recycled. Made from 90% recycled steel, it comes in 3 parts (bottle, cup and cap). "Steel" Bronze, 80 cl, 206 g, Dopper, €29.95. 5 Ultra-light. In anodized titanium, polypropylene cap and silicone rubber. "Aurora", 80 cl, 150 g, Snow Peak exclusively at La Samaritaine, 145 €. 6 Nomade. Stainless steel, 2 colors (with cotton cord, sold separately). 50 cl, Monoprix, €15.99 (€6.99 for cord). 7. carabiner. Isothermal, double-walled stainless steel, BPA-free, 4 colors. "Horizon", 50 cl, 290 g, design Natacha Poutoux & Sacha Hourcade, Lexon, €39.90. 8. Customizable. Isothermal, stainless steel, silicone seal, laser engraving possible (+ 6 €). "Clima Bottle, Carrara shade, 50 cl, 274 g, 24Bottles, 35 €.
This article is taken from Gault&Millau magazine #5. If you don't want to miss any future issues, subscribe now.
These news might interest you
Should we trust the medals on the bottles?
On a supermarket shelf, similar-looking bottles of wine are lined up at slightly contrasting prices. Without a salesperson, in a time-constrained food shopping area, a sticker placed like a jewel cuts through the act of purchasing. Gold, silver or bronze medals flash more brightly than a label that's not always easy to decipher. Award-winning wine, featured wine An award-winning wine is one that has been presented by the winery at one of the 127 competitions that award these precious badges (in 2024, according to the DGCCRF). The famous Concours Général Agricole, founded in 1870, the world's best Chardonnay or Sauvignon competitions, the Brittany or Mâcon wine competitions, the Millésime Bio challenge... There's an embarrassment of riches to choose from, with no limit on participation, but not without a heavy hand in the wallet. For each cuvée entered, you'll need to pay between 10 and 150 euros, depending on the competition, not including postage and packaging costs and the purchase of macaroons in the event of victory. Attractive spin-offs A potentially interesting calculation, given the commercial visibility these awards bring. In the year following the award, sales of the vintage tend to increase by between 20% and 40%. A boon for the estate, event organizers and supermarkets alike. All the more so as the medals are pouring in. In 2025, at the Concours Général Agricole, of the 12129 wines entered, 3361 were awarded medals, almost half of them gold. French legislation prohibits the awarding of more than a third of the samples presented. A quota with which most competitions flirt. Amateur jury Who awards these accolades? A volunteer jury, at their own expense. Mostly amateurs. The great need for people leaves little room for rigor or traceability. In 2025, at the Concours Général Agricole, over 7,000 people were needed to taste charcuterie, cheeses, jams and wines. At this year's Chardonnay du Monde competition, more than 300 jurors took part, with a limit of 20 samples per person. The most famous estates, which don't need to boost their sales, tend to neglect these competitions. Artisanal wineries, on the other hand, may shy away from these competitions as a matter of distinction, since the shiny stickers are associated with supermarkets. A place where it takes the place of good professional advice. A wine merchant, for example, capable of selling the uniqueness of a cuvée he has followed over the years.
Fabrice Pouillon: his champagne method
Fabrice Pouillon is the third generation to run the family domaine at Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Marne region of France, and he has an intrinsic respect for the heritage he has inherited: respect for the vines and for fine work. Constantly questioning himself, curious and eager to experiment, the Champenois celebrates his 26th harvest this September.
Arnaud Faye, aiming for excellence
What if we didn't talk cooking with Arnaud Faye, the Executive Chef of Le Bristol Paris, who unveiled his first creations for the Epicure restaurant in September 2024? This Meilleur ouvrier de France has agreed to think outside the box and reveal what drives him, from his first glass of vosne-romanée to his latest musical tastes and his certificate in mental preparation for professional performance.
Our partners
Food products, kitchen equipment, tableware, service solutions...
See the full list of partners who place their trust in Gault&Millau
All our partners
