-
Pages
-
Categories
-
Archives
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- November 2023
- May 2023
- January 2023
- October 2022
- July 2022
- May 2022
- February 2022
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
The Film “Burgundy: People with a Passion for Wine”
The film, Burgundy: People with a Passion for Wine certainly delivers on the passion of the winemakers and people featured in the film. Viewers gain the sense that Burgundy is a special place and the wines crafted are exceptional. During the film, winemakers discuss Burgundy and the wines. The viewer learns that winemaking in Burgundy is a challenge. There are very strict rules. However, the growers and winemakers are quick to point out that within those rules they can show their creativity. We hear winemakers using words like finesse and elegance to describe Burgundian wines. The wines are a reflection of the place. Terroir is frequently mentioned, with the caveat that from one vineyard to another the nuances may be very little, but in Burgundy they are there. One of my favorite statements was that you can drink Burgundian wine anywhere in the world. “But in Burgundy it tastes better.”
The film, Burgundy: People with a Passion for Wine was filmed by filmmaker and videographer Rudi Goldman. His wife, Dr. Lydia Bokken, was a production partner. Beautiful landscapes, dusty cellars, bricks, quarried stones and oak barrels are the backgrounds for many of the film’s talent. The film can make you want to travel and experience Burgundy for the first time or a repeat visit.
Some of the passionate wine people are winemakers. Véronique Drouhin-Boss is the fourth generation winemaker at Maison Joseph Drouhin. She brings a personal touch to the wine cellars when she fondly remembers it as her playground. She and her brother use to roller skate in the cellar. Alex Gambal of Maison Alex Gambal links wine to classical music. Philippe Duvernay, co-owner of Chassagne-Montrachet Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay discusses filtered and unfiltered wines. He mentioned that his unfiltered wines are rich and powerful. Winemaker Olivier Leflaive sees wine and food as a marriage. He enjoys seeing how people react to his wine at a dinner table.
The film covers different stages in the winemaking process. Of particular interest is during harvest, some harvesters haul large containers on their backs. These are filled with grapes from other harvesters. After filling the container, the grapes are taken and emptied into a truck. Then the harvester heads back to the vineyard to harvest more grapes. Although the harvesting can challenge one’s muscles, there is always a harvest lunch to look forward to. Once filled, the trucks whisk the grapes to a production facility. In the winery, we see sorting tables and grapes fermenting. One winemaker comments, “While the wine is fermenting it is singing.”
Many Burgundian wines ferment and or age in oak barrels. The filmmaker included the process of barrel making from the cutting of aged trees to the toasting of the barrels. Viewers can observe the splitting of wood, cutting the staves and the hammer force to mold the wood into the barrel shapes. Fire and water are used during the toasting process.
We learn in the film that in Burgundy, winemakers celebrate the differences in the vintages. They do not aspire to make a house wine that is the same each year, rather they let the grapes speak for themselves and relish the differences that each year affords them. The damages of hail are presented, and one feels for the grower that may lose 50% or more of his crop. After a devastating hail storm, there is “a big silence in the village.” Some growers are experimenting with nets to help protect the grapes from hail.
In Burgundy, wine and food are not separate concepts. They go together. The beginning of the film features the marketplace at Beaune where a plethora of foods are for sale. The viewer sees the luncheon La Paulée de Meursault, where hundreds of winemakers attend. A rare glimpse of truffle hunting with trained dogs is shown. Karine Magnin of Les Truffières de Crépey takes her dogs truffle hunting where being in touch with nature is important for Karine and her two dogs. Michelin Chef Laurent Peugeot discusses the differences in wine from several villages and the foods that pair well with the wines.
Viewers also experience the theme of passion that is exhibited with the Wine Brotherhood initiation and the Charity Wine Auction at the Hospices de Beaune.
Rudi Goldman’s film, Burgundy: People with a Passion for Wine is a wonderful film for wine tourists and wine enthusiasts. The passion for wine and food is evident for those who make wine as well as those who make wine disappear. The film makes me want to revisit Burgundy and experience the people with a passion for wine.
The film is planned to launch in Europe in mid-October 2016. The phased-in distribution by EST and VOD rental distribution on different platforms includes the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Benelux, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and South America.
Cheers,
Terry