Overview

Among the rich cast of characters he meets during his year of exploration is Virgile, a young local wine-maker who offers to initiate Patrick into the mysteries of each season's work in the fields and in the cellar. Virgile is passionately committed to perfection, though he operates on a shoestring. At the other extreme is Manu, Patrick's dipsomaniac neighbour, a diehard traditionalist producing a private wine-lake of unspeakable rouge. With Manu as his self-appointed guide, Patrick embarks on a tour of the region's wine makers - a succession of lively encounters with growers as varied as the wines themselves. Interwoven are digressions into the history of the region and its wine-making, from the earliest plantings by the Greeks and Romans. Meanwhile, the author struggles to deal with his dilapidated inheritance - an unfamiliar and unpredictable world where the brambles have grown as tall as the olive trees, the water supply has just dried up and there is a ferocious animal under the roof tiles.

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9780719565175

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'Patrick Moon, who inherited his neglected and remote house in the Languedoc region of southern France, writes with flair ! He is befriended by Virgile, a young local winemaker, who offers to teach him everything he knows about wine-making from the field to the cellar. The result is a fascinating seasonal tour' -- Daily Mail 20030523 'Patrick Moon finds himself living in one of the world's happening wine places and there are, as there must be in this sort of book, a good bunch of locals. Unlike the usual enthusiastic refugees from the north, Moon conducts himself with a mixture of surprise and reluctance. Like the wine, everything flows richly and generously from there' -- Sunday Times 20030420 'Rather superior and enjoyably informative ! Moon follows the progress of Virgile, a dedicated if penurious young wine-maker. Manu, a rarely sober producer of the old vinegary school, provides comic relief. In his roundabout way, Moon conveys a host of information about this fascinating corner of France and its main product' -- Independent 20030526 'Full of interesting characters and a fresh view on a fast-evolving region from an outsider who loves wine and is prepared to learn why one bottle, vineyard or estate differs so dramatically from another' -- Wine Magazine 20030501 'When Moon inherits a house in the Languedoc, he has no idea it will lead to a crash course in wine-making and a hilarious introduction to French hospitality ! The story is in turns funny, moving and instructional, with a wisdom that rises from every chapter and glassful. A delightful journal of calamity and discovery' -- Good Book Guide 20030501

Patrick Moon, who inherited his neglected and remote house in the Languedoc region of southern France, writes with flair ... He is befriended by Virgile, a young local winemaker, who offers to teach him everything he knows about wine-making from the field to the cellar. The result is a fascinating seasonal tour Daily Mail Patrick Moon finds himself living in one of the world's happening wine places and there are, as there must be in this sort of book, a good bunch of locals. Unlike the usual enthusiastic refugees from the north, Moon conducts himself with a mixture of surprise and reluctance. Like the wine, everything flows richly and generously from there Sunday Times Rather superior and enjoyably informative ... Moon follows the progress of Virgile, a dedicated if penurious young wine-maker. Manu, a rarely sober producer of the old vinegary school, provides comic relief. In his roundabout way, Moon conveys a host of information about this fascinating corner of France and its main product Independent Full of interesting characters and a fresh view on a fast-evolving region from an outsider who loves wine and is prepared to learn why one bottle, vineyard or estate differs so dramatically from another Wine Magazine When Moon inherits a house in the Languedoc, he has no idea it will lead to a crash course in wine-making and a hilarious introduction to French hospitality ... The story is in turns funny, moving and instructional, with a wisdom that rises from every chapter and glassful. A delightful journal of calamity and discovery Good Book Guide

An Englishman crosses the Channel to spend a year in the vineyards of France. Overcoming the traditional Briton's bewilderment at sunshine, he learns a bit about the quaint locals and an awful lot about oenology. No, it's not Peter Mayle, but erstwhile lawyer and first-time author Moon, who inherits Uncle Milo's place in the southern region of Languedoc. The house is picturesque in a derelict sort of way, the vines neglected. The neighbors are sufficiently-as always-colorful to have been cast in an old Ealing comedy. Meet Manu, an imbibing, poaching rascal, and his fierce spouse. Waitress Babette is comely and bright. English historian Krystina teaches our pioneer some local history and seems quite eager to make some more with him despite his lack of enthusiasm for a bit of a romp. Virgile, the earnest winemaker, teaches the author what must surely be just about everything, from grape to glass, about the art and practice of viticulture. Virgile, in his cave, is immersed in wine-and at one point quite literally. He pulls out all the corks in relating the manifold tests and tribulations necessary to produce a product with exactly the right nose and body, a wine far different from Manu's dreaded house red. Tastings include Virgile's Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache Noir, then samplings of the local Picpoul, Mourvedre, and Cincault. With truffles, trout, snakes, bees, and the Occitan language as adjunct studies, the author's principal course in wine lore covers varietals, the vendange, and the sometimes baleful influence of the zodiac, the Romans, and the Appellation Contr lee authorities. None of it is enough to faze Moon in his report on what he did on his vacation. With all the focus on French wine aesthetics, this isn't designed for teetotalers or Francophobes (see John J. Miller and Mark Molesky's Our Oldest Enemy, above). Seasoned with wit, though, it has legs enough for enthusiasts who may be thrilled to learn that there's actually a Grenache Blanc. (Map and line drawings) (Kirkus Reviews)

Author Information

Patrick Moon studied French and History at Oxford before working as a lawyer in London. He then decided to 'stop' in order to spend more time with his francophilia. He divides his time between London, Oxfordshire and the Languedoc.

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