FRENCH JOURNEY  - PROGRAMME 1 

BEAUJOLAIS - WINE

North of Lyon lies the Beaujolais, one of France’s most famous but least explored wine regions. Beaujolais may be a 20th century marketing phenomenon.  David went to find the truth behind the fiction.

First stop was the Chateau Chatelard for a spot of wine tasting with local producer Mme Grossot.

David:  What exactly is Beaujolais?

Mme Grossot:  Beaujolais is a red wine  which comes from the Gamay grape.  These are wines that you leave to ferment for quite a short time to give them a very fruity, perfumed taste.

David:  But can a young wine be a good wine?

Mme Grossot:  Of course!  It's not a wine to keep, but it's very good to drink with a snack or a simple meal with friends.  You can open a bottle of Beaujolais at any time.  With an expensive wine, you'd hesitate a lot more.

David:  I'm starting to feel thirsty.

Mme Grossot:  There you are, Fleurie‚ - you're going to find out what's in it - I hope!

David:  A kind of test.  It's red fruits?  I'll smell it again.  I'll taste it.  Blackcurrant.

Mme Grossot:    Well done!  Very good!

Mme Grossot:    Now the fun part, it's le Paradis.

David:  Why is it called le Paradis?

Mme Grossot:   Because it takes you to Paradise!  It's a wine from a week-old harvest.  It was pressed this morning

David:  It's grape juice, almost

Mme Grossot:   Almost.

David:  That's really, really good.  

Mme Grossot:   It's first class.

David:  Can I finish it?

Mme Grossot:   Of course.

David:  Thank you very much, Madame!

Mme Grossot:   Goodbye!  Don't fall off!

September is harvest time and the busiest time of year for local wine producers. In search of hands-on experience, David signed up for some grape-picking at the Domaine des Maisons Neuves. 

David:  You're the boss, Mr Merle - what do I have to do?

M. Merle:  Pick the grapes.

David:  How do I do that?

M. Merle:  Using a bucket and a pruning knife.  That's the tool you use to cut the bunches of grapes.  You put it on your little finger and hold it like this.  But be careful not to cut yourself, because it cuts like a razor.

David:  I'll try it.  Like this - I cut the stem and catch the grapes.  Is it difficult?

M. Merle:  Yes, it's difficult.  It's hard because you have to work fast to keep up with the team, and the grapes, the bunches, are low down and as you're tall, your back ... oh dear!

David:  So it's hard labour

M. Merle:  It's hard labour!

David:  Ah well, a bit of hard work never hurt anybody yet.

Man 1:  David!  Here!

David:  There we are. Not bad for an Englishman!

Man 2:   Leaves, David!

David:  No leaves. Sorry.  No leaves in the bucket.

Man 3:   Alright, let's finish here.  Stop.

Man 4:   But before we do, let's surprise David!

The working day was over but it seemed that M Merle hadn’t finished with David just yet…

M. Merle: The brotherhood assembled here declare the session open and bid you all good drinking!  

(Singing…)

Friends, to keep the circle going  I come and sit next to you
There's only one pleasure in life  It's to share a toast with you
Have you drunk as you should... drink, drink, drink….

After all this ritual humiliation David was at last a Chevalier of the Beaujolais, and proud of it.

Copyright BBC 2000.