Wine Masters France

In the Wine Masters France we visit five wine regions where we discover the know-how behind the most famous grape varieties and the terroirs:

Syrah in Rhône
Sauvignon Blanc in Loire
Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Burgundy
Riesling in Alsace

With the help of each region’s most prestigious wine producer, the viewer learns about the personal drive and family stories of the vintners (vigneron), the origins and history of the best grape varieties, terroirs, and wines. The wine producers who share their stories and passion for wine with us are:

Angélus
E. Guigal
Henri Bourgeois
Joseph Drouhin
Trimbach

They all have something in common: they run renowned family businesses. The families have been producing wine for 4 till 14 generations. The family members share their ways of collaboration, task division, keeping the family legacy going and worries about succession with us.

Masters of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee and Tim Atkin give their honest, authentic and critical opinions about each region, grape variety, terroir, wine and producer. They will also explain why certain wines are so valuable, what makes them and the terroirs so unique and how the interested wine drinker can make the best choice wine-wise.

Rhône, Guigal family

The successful Guigal family openly shares their love and passion for wine making. Known as ‘the masters of the Northern Rhône’ Marcel Guigal and his son Philippe Guigal will tell us about Syrah, which was born in the Côte-Rôtie, Viognier and the amazing terroirs of Rhône, where the first vines were planted in Roman times.

I’ve never seen a producer so fanatical about quality as Marcel Guigal

Robert Parker

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Loire, Bourgeois family

In the beautiful Loire Valley, known as the ‘Garden of France’, lies the birthplace of Sauvignon Blanc: Sancerre. In this 45-minute documentary the wine producing Bourgeois family shows their deep-rooted passion for the area, terroir, grape and wines. Making wines since 10 generations the family knows that Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc at its best but that it’s also still developing.

I think that is a good definition of what makes a great wine; wines made with love

Tim Atkin

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Bordeaux, de Boüard de Laforest family

Bordeaux is one of the French wine regions where the highest priced and sought after wines are produced. Idyllically located nearby the historical town of Saint-Émilion stands Château Angélus. This is where the 8th generation of the family de Boüard de Laforest produces Bordeaux wines with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Hubert de Boüard de Laforest is a real superstar. It’s not a surprise that he is highly sought after as a wine consultant

Jeannie Cho Lee

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Burgundy, Drouhin family

Since 1880 the Drouhin family has been producing Burgundy wines in the heart of Beaune. Their Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are charming and soft, just like the female winemaker who makes them; Véronique Drouhin. In a wine region with countless plots where some of the most prestigious wines are produced, this successful family keeps their feet firmly on the ground.

I say Burgundy is easy: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir...

Frédéric Drouhin

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Alsace, Trimbach family

Since 13 generations, back in 1626, the Trimbach family is dedicated to producing Alsace wines. In this cinematic documentary the family members share their personal drive, family history and the stories of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. Wine maker Pierre Trimbach is reputed as a Grand Vigneron by all the top journalists and Alsace wine lovers by producing the most age worthy white wine: Riesling.

The Alsace is undervalued and under appreciated

Tim Atkin

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Featuring Masters of Wine

Jeannie Cho Lee

Jeannie Cho Lee had the honour to be the first Asian Master of Wine. She calls Hong Kong home but works and travels all over the world. Next to working as a wine critic, writer and consultant, Jeannie is also teaching and hosting television programs about wine and food. According to Jeannie wine has the wonderful ability to slow down time, extend meals, and make you relaxed and happy.

Wine Masters captures the family dynamics behind some of the greatest wineries in France. I was delighted to give my insight into this people and family-focused look at those behind the wines.

Jeannie Cho Lee

Tim Atkin

London-based Master of Wine, Tim Atkin, is i.a. working as wine journalist and critic. His presentation style is known for its amusing and controversial character. Tim writes about lots of different areas all over the world but he is specialised in Argentina, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rioja and South-Africa. For Tim wine is more than a liquid in a glass, it’s the people behind the wines and their stories that make it interesting.

It was a thrill to be involved in the filming of Wine Masters, a series of programmes that gives the subject the in-depth treatment it deserves, focusing on family stories.

Tim Atkin