Marie Joanna Roginska: "I was immediately fascinated by this vine-growing atmosphere"

A Wine journalist, Mary Joanna Roginska collaborates with specialized magazines and notably obtained the award of the Best Wine taster of the Year 2007 at the International Competition of the Wine Selezione del Sindaco (Città del Vino) in Italy. She recently sent us her comments on "A Fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose".

" Someone could have asked me "What a strange idea to read an ode to the glory of a great Grand Cru classified Bordeaux in a train that takes you to the burgundian vineyards?". I would have replied in a few simple words "we can do both"... and I would have continued to read my novel. I went through the book very easily, thanks to Guillaume's "dynamic writing" that brought me directly into the life of his hero, Paul, a young man "neuilly-passy style" - as we would say in Paris - who has everything or nearly everything... He wants to find himself, right in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyard, at Chateau Gruaud Larose, in search for a true direction in his life. The kind of life that he thinks he has lost in his daily luxurious Parisian world. I was immediately fascinated by this vine-growing atmosphere: I felt like I could hear the vines growing, I was breathing the fresh air of the vineyard, I was hearing an elegant music and I was in love with the good wine and the beautiful vines! I was almost with Paul in his new life. Oops! My train just arrived. Today's trip went so quickly... And I am now ready to taste some of the greatest burgundies."

Many thanks to Mary Joanna who, between France, Italy and Spain notably, visits a large number of winegrowers and tastes thousands of wines. A passion and a work that our hero Paul would have loved to experience!

US Wine critics comment on "A fabulous Year at chateau Gruaud Larose" and propose to change the title for "The Gruaud Larose Code" or "The Gruaud with

On Twitter, Mike Steinberger (wine columnist for Slate.com), Jon Bonne (wine Editor from the San Francisco Chronicle) and Jordan Graham Mackay (wine & spirits critic for San Francisco mag and Chow) were recently mentionning the book "A fabulous Year at chateau Gruaud Larose". They made some very good points which help the author Guillaume Jourdan to give some more details about his novel.

Jordan Graham Mackay mentionned: "Title not exactly drawing me in. Maybe smthg more like "The Gruaud Larose Code" or "The Gruaud with Larose Tatoo" would improve."

Guillaume Jourdan: " I love these ideas but it was a bit hard for me to make this decision. To give a title like " The Gruaud Larose Code" would have brought a lot of expectations on the readers' side. With such a sophisticated title, they may have expected a 300 pages book, with a sophisticated story like in any famous novel, rather than a 100 pages book with chapters built like a monthly report. I wanted "A fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose" to be a "relax and interesting" way of explaining some of the work done in a prestigious Chateau over 12 months. I think many wine lovers already know much about the taste of fine wines - when they are bottled - and now want to know more about what happens before, I mean the origins of the wines they love. It is as simple as this. But, of course, this novel offers more than that, with for example, a brief overview of this beautiful Bordeaux region which I only discovered 10 years ago and that I love."

Another comment: "I wonder if Gruaud Larose is a client? It would certainly be an interesting PR strategy." And a guy responded: "heh. author is director of company that provides specialized marketing & communication consulting for prestigious wine estates."

Guillaume Jourdan: "Gruaud Larose is a client of VitaBella. In fact, this collaboration is a unique opportunity for me to be at the chateau on a regular basis, to meet the people in the vineyard and also those in the cellars. Speaking with them, looking at what they do and also participating to some tasks, all of this helped me to make the book more interesting and complete for readers. In fact, having the privilege to work with Chateau Gruaud Larose, I personnally had opportunities to see and judge the work done in the vineyard from October 2009 to October 2010. I also "felt" this vintage, all along the 12 months, like only a very privileged person could have done."

Mike Steinberger, the wine columnist for Slate.com : " Product placement run amok? New novel called A Fabulous Year At Ch. Gruaud Larose. Release timed to en primeur, natch."

Guillaume Jourdan: "This is not a product placement. In fact, the "adventure" started when we tasted the first grapes of Merlot that were to be soon harvested. I heard team members saying that these Merlot were concentrated and delicious and that it would make delicious wines. And a few weeks after, we were saying the same about Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. So, at this early stage, we were already feeling that 2010 vintage would be an exceptional vintage. And I was sad to prepare just a few pages to introduce this vintage to the wine professionals who would ask, very soon, to receive some early information about 2010. I immediately said to the team that something very particular happened during this year and that writing just a few pages would miss the point. I wanted wine professionals to understand more about the evolution in the minds of people who, month after month, have lived a unique experience at Gruaud Larose. And so I said a novel would be a better way to introduce the 2010 vintage rather than just having a "technical and fact sheet". "A fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose" was born. And, of course, the best time to release it is the "En Primeur" week when wine experts, from all over the world, gather."

To know more about this novel, the first chapter is available on this link: "A fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose".

David Eley: " Guillaume has captured the essence of a special world, he has helped us to understand more and share his unique perspective "

A professional artist for over 23 years David Eley has concentrated on fine wine and gastronomy for fourteen, painting the vignerons, vineyards and chefs. Living much of the year on the Spanish/French frontier near San Sebastian in the heart of the Basque country, David is surrounded by a galaxy of Michelin starred chefs. From Douro, where he is currently doing a great job in this beautiful portuguese wine region,

"A Fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose provides a clear sense of Guillaume Jourdan's immense passion for a truly exceptional place: I too love the Medoc and most particularly St Julien; Guillaume's intimate and clearly defined portraits of moments, places and sensations illuminate and entertain. Humour is ever present and knowing Guillaume Jourdan's sensitivity for his subject while reading his prose, I am filled with nostalgia for a place that I know can steal your heart. The Medoc is not a' flat piece of land' with some interesting vineyards, it is a magical peninsula flanked by ocean and river, over-arched by big Atlantic skies and mesmerizing light effects. Whatever the season, to see the meticulous work carried out in these vineyards by dedicated souls whose life's work is to enhance our own spirits, is to gain a glimpse into the world of pristine perfectionism - understood by too few. We might all appreciate the contents of great bottles but too few of us comprehend the dedication and heart poured into four seasons of a great Bordeaux chateau. Gruaud Larose is such a classic chateau and in Guillaume Jourdan it has a priceless, articulate and sensitive advocate.The greatest praise for Guillaume Jourdan is to say he has captured the essence of a special world, he has helped us to understand more and share his unique perspective. I know how Guillaume lives, sleeps and breathes fine wine, knowing this, I congratulate him for articulating the meaning of a vinous life on the printed page."

Many thanks David for this long comment on the novel. We clearly understand here your passion about claret and good wine in general. And of course your love for Saint Julien and more specifically Gruaud Larose. Cheers!

To know more about this novel, the first chapter is available on this link: "A fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose".

Michel Chapoutier: " A Recommended Pairing with this novel ? A wine from Bordeaux. ...Hermitagé, preferably ! "

Michel Chapoutier, world renowned winemaker who makes exceptional wines from Rhone valley as well as Roussillon, Australia, Portugal and recently Alsace, took some of his precious time to give his opinion on the novel "A Fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose" :

"The author who grew up near Tain l'Hermitage and was educated with the most beautiful wines from Rhone Valley, decided to write a story which takes place in a Chateau from Bordeaux. In fact, he did not choose any chateau but selected a prestigious Second Growth classified Saint Julien wine, Chateau Gruaud Larose. The hunting party, the lunch with over 5 pounds of black truffles and the lovely vintage champagne bottles tasted in this novel inspired the Wine and Life's lover that I am. What's more, the reader discovers the beauty of the work done in the vineyards, an essential job to obtain beautiful grapes and unique wines. To make it brief, this book is excellent, easy to read and full of great information."

Many thanks for this commentary. If you can not find a "Bordeaux Hermitagé", we can easily imagine that a delicious Saint Joseph Les Granits from a generous vintage, accompanied of some typical regional food such as "Ravioles de Romans" and "Caillette", could make it...

To know more about this novel, the first chapter is available on this link: "A fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose".

Interview with the author: "During Bordeaux Primeurs Tasting week, you meet brokers and merchants who act like their counterparts in the tea world"

In the book "A fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose", the main character Paul talks about similarities between fine tea and fine wine. Here is an extract:

“Whenever I go to Japan and China, I’m amazed to find the same approach as that used by wine growers. The idea of the land is deeply rooted in both of these worlds. Simply take, for example, the Fujian region in southeast China which produces several crus among the most famous in different tea families. The Yin Zhen Bai Hao, a famous white tea with a most subtle taste of the Fuding region. Then there’s also the Tie Gwan Yin in the canton of An Xi, the renowned Da Hong Pao, a rock tea from the Wu Yi mountains where the temperate climate, the many springs and the level of precipitation make it a Mecca for tea in China. Not to mention the great green teas of China such as Lu An Gua Pian…”

Similarities with fine teas? Could you tell us more?
Guillaume Jourdan: "In fact, in this book, every chapter relates to one specific month during Paul's one-year sabbatical leave. For example, in April, the chapter is about one of the major events that occur in Bordeaux which is called the "Bordeaux Primeurs" week. We are approaching this event for the 2010 vintage as, this year, "Bordeaux Primeurs" week will take place from April 4th. In this novel, Paul attends the tasting for the 2009 vintage. And when Paul discovers this specific community of people, coming from most parts of the world and gathering in the Bordeaux region for one week, he immediately gives a comparison with what he has seen in China around fine tea and fine tea professionnals."

Is fine tea another passion for you?
"Yes indeed. I flew many times to Japan, China and other tea regions to taste fine teas and understand how some can reach this level of precision and perfection. I have always been amazed by the taste of fine wines which are the result of a natural process obtained from small grapes. And for fine tea, I am even more amazed as this extraordinary taste comes from...leaves. Sometimes, what I have in my glass or in my cup is so unbelievably good that I ask to myself: How can it only come from grapes? For fine tea, I have the same question: How can that only come from tea leaves? And for now nearly 15 years, I travel to some places to taste mono-orgin teas (or terroir teas), sometimes during the picking season which is a great experience. And now I am addicted to the unique taste of mono-origin teas."

Are there other similarities between fine tea and fine wine?
"Both markets seem to share similarities when you explore how the business is done for fine tea and fine wine. During "Bordeaux Primeurs" Tasting week, you meet brokers and merchants who behave like their counterparts in the tea world. That is another similarity which is about how those two different markets are organized. It is even more true when you only consider the very top productions. If we focus on spring darjeelings harvested in the most impressive gardens, those teas are specifically reserved for a limited number of firms. Brokers get their "allocation" or "allotment", the same way as it happens for first growths in Bordeaux. Moreover, the price scale for fine teas is also similar to the price scale for fine wines. Top Darjeeling teas are among the most sought-after internationally and demand is so strong compared to their very limited production that those teas can fetch very high prices. Another similarity? Vintages. Like fine wines, vintages can make fine teas even pricier: this is the case for some very old Pu Erh that can reach the price of a Chateau Lafite Rothschild. And like for fine wines, counterfeits can sometimes be found..."

"Rediscovering your own region through a novel...that sounds strange, but this is exactly what happened to me"

Charles Guerrero is native of the Bordeaux region but emigrated for a few years to exercise his profession of First Officer A320 to Abu Dhabi. He read the novel "A Fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose" and sent us his perception of this story which brought him back, for a few hours, in his dear natal region.

"Reading this novel while I was 5000 kilometers far from my region - let's say a 7 hours' flight to Bordeaux - made me happy. Vineyards and wines are a passion for me. Sometimes in descent on Paris by clear time during the winter, I fly across the beautiful Burgundian region and I always admire these beautiful landscapes decorated with vines. I love Burgundy wines. And I appreciate of course the great wines from Bordeaux and more specifically Sauternes. I knew Chateau Gruaud Larose by reputation. I now want to visit Saint Julien, to make a tour and discover this vineyard built by Abbot Gruaud. Rediscovering your own region through a novel...that sounds strange, but this is exactly what happened to me with "A Fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose". And on top of that, a nice love story...”

Many thanks to Charles Guerrero for this comment. A virtual trip for a first officer used to travel every week...What a big prowess!


To know more about this novel, the first chapter is available on this link: "A fabulous Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose".

G. de la Bassetiere: "After reading this novel, I feel like walking in Bordeaux streets and taking some time in Cap Ferret"

Gilles Morisson de la Bassetière, President of Champagne de Venoge, had the opportunity to read the novel "A Beautiful Year at Chateau Gruaud Larose". As a wine lover, he made some comments about this book.

"I had much pleasure to read this novel. Not only because it was really nice to look at Chateau Gruaud Larose, which I already know well, in a new light but I also rediscovered Bordeaux and the region. After reading this book and as Vinexpo Wine Fair approaches, I feel like walking in Bordeaux streets and taking some time in Cap Ferret. I am certain that this novel will give many readers the desire to visit this magnificent city, the beautiful chateaux and taste the delicious wines. When should we expect a novel around Epernay and the beautiful Champagne region?"

Many Thanks to Gilles de la Bassetière for these words. It is true that there would be much to write about Champagne. I guess an entire chapter would be dedicated to a visit in Champagne de venoge's cellars and a tasting of some old vintages of Cuvée des Princes.