The second episode of BBC4′s series “Wine” takes a look at the making of the 2008 vintage at Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux. The episode entitled “The Faith” refers to the necessary belief and the next vintage will retain the almost magical qualities that make this first growth wine so special. The film reportedly focuses on the people involved, which is probably fortuitous as 2008 was such a poor summer that the prospects of a classic vintage look very slim.
The programme is shown on Monday 23 February 2008 at 9.00pm with numerous repeat screenings.
Corinne Mentzelopoulos, daughter of a Greek supermarket tycoon, introduces us to the chateau her family has owned for the past 30 years, as everyone from vineyard worker to chief winemaker looks anxiously at a sky which appears hell-bent on making the year a wretched one. One bottle of this cult wine can cost up to 1,000 pounds a bottle if the vintage is good, but the quality of the vintage is always in the lap of the weather gods.
Blessed by sunshine and a soaring economy in previous years, Margaux has turned itself into the world’s luxury wine. From the inside, we track the meticulous cultivation of a top-notch brand, with Margaux’s urbane director Paul Pontallier serving the role of chief evangelist as we follow him all the way to China where he is almost mobbed by devotees of Margaux.
The final episode will focus on South Africa. For more info see www.bbc.co.uk
