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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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
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“A delightful journal of calamity and discovery.” -- Good Book Guide
From the Publisher
Inheriting a badly neglected house in the south of France, Patrick Moon sets out to discover how the Languedoc has managed to transform itself into one of the world’s most exciting wine regions. Virgile, a young winemaker passionately devoted to perfection, offers to initiate Patrick into the mysteries of each season’s work. At the other extreme is Manu, Patrick’s dipsomaniac neighbor, a diehard traditionalist producing a private wine–lake of unspeakable rouge. With Manu as his self–appointed guide, Patrick embarks on a series of lively encounters with growers as varied as the wines themselves. In between these bucolic expeditions, the author struggles to deal with his dilapidated inheritance—an unfamiliar and unpredictable world where the brambles are as tall as the olive trees, the water supply has dried up, and a ferocious animal lies in wait under the roof tiles.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than Great,
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This review is from: Virgile's Vineyard: A Year in the Languedoc Wine Country (Paperback)
With Bill Bryson-like humor, Patrick Moon intertwines winemaking and history with a rollicking good tale. If you're lucky enough to visit this fabulous wine-producing area of France, Virgile's Vineyard will be even more entertaining. There is a not-so-subtle undercurrent of travel guide to this superbly fun story. Spanning one year, it takes the reader through the winter Mediterranean storms, the summer heat of the South, the drenching rains of spring and the laid-back feel of the area when out of the tourist high season. Moon explores the dubious friendship of his neighbor prone to blatant crop filching, but also a master wine taster in constant search of good free samples. There is a dialogue of local repartee, a love interest (solely, on her side, it seems) who is bent on educating Patrick about the area's past, along with some characters who duck in and out as the story unfolds. If you have any interest in wine or the Languedoc region of France, you really shouldn't miss this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lanquedoc delight,
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This review is from: Virgile's Vineyard: A Year in the Languedoc Wine Country (Paperback)
I have not yet received it!!! However, I have previously read it and recommend it as highly entertaining, educational, and just wish we'd known more about the region when we stayed there.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wines and wineries - I truly learned a lot!,
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This review is from: Virgile's Vineyard: A Year in the Languedoc Wine Country (Paperback)
No, this story is not particulary humorous. The attempt was made, but Peter Mayle he is not. I didn't particularly enjoy the crazy rich lady from the chateau, however, I DID learn enough about the region and its wine to be able to pick out a truly superb bottle off the shelf. I am not wine-obsessed, in fact I don't drink it anymore, but I did enjoy reading about the tending of vines, the mixing of varietals, and the extremely difficult task of making a good wine. I've read an AWFUL lot of books about France, buying a house to restore in France, landscaping in France, the war in France etc.... and I set aside more than I actually finish. this is one of the good ones, although a bit slow going.
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